Pynchon fax

[jbor]

I'm not sure who asked, or whether it was on- or off-list (apologies if so),
and this isn't the source I recall (I think it might have been the defunct
Pynchon Files, but I'm certain the stories are documented elsewhere also),
but here is a version of the jumping-out-of-a-window-to-avoid-Norman-Mailer
story and the disappearing-from-a-Mexico-hotel-room story (which my memory
had combined into one rather than two stories). The stories appear to be
based on witness statements.

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http://www.theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/pynchon.html

[...]

In the absence of solid details, Pynchon's life has become something of a
legend in literary circles. Stories abound. One story involved the book
jacket photographer for "V" going to Pynchon's only known address, a hotel
room in Mexico City, for a picture of the young author. The man who answered
the door said Pynchon would be back in an hour, but when the photographer
returned, the room was barren.

Another story involved the typically aggressive Normal Mailer, who after
making numerous requests to have a drink with Pynchon, finally tracked him
to an address and began pounding on the door. after a while, Mailer gave up,
only to learn from neighbors that a strange tall man had jumped from the
second story window and skittered off down the sidewalk.

[...]

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