GR translation: We have to play the patterns.

[Monte Davis]

The first thing that occurs to me is the gambler
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambler%27s_fallacy> ’s fallacy, as GR is
largely populated with people who see grand conspiracies in randomness --
and vice versa. Also chess (cf. Der Springer), in which skilled players
acquire a gestalt grasp of the array on the board; also perhaps a hint of
spatial formations – deployments on the field -- in team sports.  

 

From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Jing
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 2:42 AM
To: Pynchon Mailing List
Subject: GR translation: We have to play the patterns.

 

It dawns on Slothrop, literally, through the yellowbrown window shade, that
this is his first day Outside. His first free morning. He doesn’t have to go
back. Free? What’s free? He falls asleep at last. A little before noon a
young woman lets herself in with a passkey and leaves him the papers. He is
now an English war correspondent named Ian Scuffling.
“This is the address of one of our people in Zürich. Waxwing wishes you good
luck and asks what kept you so long.”
“You mean he wants an answer?”
“He said you’d have to think about it.”
“Sa-a-a-ay.” It’s just occurred to him. “Why are all you folks helping me
like this? For free and all?”
“Who knows? We have to play the patterns. There must be a pattern you’re in,
right now.”

What is the meaning of "play the patterns"?

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