Atdtda37: At home, 1047-1048

[Paul Nightingale]

The opening reference to Cici provides continuity from the previous section,
and the first paragraph here brings Merle's story up to date ('over the
years') before abandoning the Zombini family. He feels something of an
outsider there ('he tried to keep his visits to a considerate level' - a
reminder of the 'quick social smile' on 1046), even though, next paragraph,
Merle the traveller belongs anywhere: 'Never having felt like that he was a
citizen of any state in particular ...' etc (1047). The previous section
ended with the family preparing food; here, Merle has been transported to
another scene ('wander[ing] now, beneath the sycamores, through the cooking
smoke') that features that particular family ritual. Hence the reappearance
of Lew ('Merle discussing potato-salad recipes ...' etc, 1048), the scene
now transformed into cover. Cf Merle's instructions on 1045: '... any
meeting will have to look accidental'.
 
Lew's appearance on 1048 takes us back to the earlier phone conversation:
the reference to 'Iowa girls' (1045) followed by 'a bunch of Iowans' (1048).
As the section ends with a lengthy discussion of potato salad Lew remains a
bystander, an observer. Cf the earlier suggestion ('But all it took was a
couple of years in LA ...' etc, 1041) that he has been integrated. Also cf
the bystander role he adopts in Santa Barbara: 'Lew knew better than to
hover' (1044). On that occasion he 'lean[s] against the sunlit stucco, and
smoke[s] a Fatima', juxtaposed to staff working: if he is integrated, and
doesn't stand out, his presence anomalous, it will be because of an
acceptable distinction between work and non-work. 

What, then, of his presence on 1048? The final paragraph opens by signalling
his arrival, his successful completion of the task set him by Merle on 1045,
but there will be no interaction between them and no indication of the time
Lew spends listening to the potato-salad debate on 1048; he remains on the
outside, and we cannot say he contributes to the 'lively discussion', even
though he has undoubtedly 'wander[ed] into earshot' at some point.


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