$49 honorarium for Pynchon

[Anville Azote]

On 11/21/06, Ya Sam <takoitov at hotmail.com> wrote:
> from the blog Rake's Progress
>
> http://www.rakesprogress.com/rakes_progress/2006/11/crying_4900.html#comments
>
[snip]
>
> But seriously, Mr. Pynchon: This is certified check for $49, in honor of
> YPTR's favorite novel of yours. Here it is. A check made out to you, Thomas
> Pynchon, for $49. All you have to do is type up a few words. "A screaming
> comes across the sky.  This message courtesy Rake's Progress." That's $49
> right there. You know the words - it'll be easy.
>
> Like I said, this is made out to you - you divide it up any way you want. If
> you want a complimentary Godzilla t-shirt or some Slippery Elm lozenges or
> something like that, we'll see what we can do.
>

Clearly riffing on Lorne Michaels's offer on "Saturday Night Live" to
pay the Beatles $3,000 to reunite on live TV:

Hi, I'm Lorne Michaels, the producer of "Saturday Night". Right now,
we're being seen by approximately 22 million viewers, but please allow
me, if I may, to address myself to just four very special people -
John, Paul, George, and Ringo - the Beatles: Lately there have been a
lot of rumors to the effect that the four of you might be getting back
together. That would be great. In my book, the Beatles are the best
thing that ever happened to music. It goes even deeper than that -
you're not just a musical group, you're a part of us. We grew up with
you.

It's for this reason that I am inviting you to come on our show. Now,
we've heard and read a lot about personality and legal conflicts that
might prevent you guys from reuniting. That's something which is none
of my business. That's a personal problem. You guys will have to
handle that. But it's also been said that no one has yet to come up
with enough money to satisy you. Well, if it's money you want, there's
no problem here.

The National Broadcasting Company has authorized me to offer you this
check to be on our show.. [ holds up check ] ..a certified check for
$3,000. Here it is right here. A check made out to you, the Beatles,
for $3,000. All you have to do is sing three Beatles songs. "She loves
you, yeah, yeah, yeah." That's $1,000 right there. You know the words
- it'll be easy.

Like I said, this is made out to the Beatles - you divide it up any
way you want. If you want to give less to Ringo, that's up to you -
I'd rather not get involved. I'm sincere about this. If this helps you
to reach a decision to reunite, it's well worth the investment. You
have agents - you know where I can be reached. Just think about it,
okay? [ shows the check again ] Thank you.

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75rbeatles.phtml

IIRC, this almost worked, because Paul and Linda were visiting John
and Yoko in New York that day. . . .

-A. A.