Characters
Hal Incandenza, Monster.
The Three Deans of the University of Arizona.
Aubrey deLint, Enfield Tennis Academy Prorector.
Coach White, Varsity Tennis Coach, University of Arizona.
Charles Tavis, Headmaster, Enfield Tennis Academy, Hal's Uncle.
A Man in Espadrilles, Loo User.
Characters Mentioned
Orin Incandenza, Punter for the Arizona Cardinals, Hal's Older Brother.
Scene: Men's Restroom at University of Arizona.
However Hal acted, however he sounded, it freaked the fuck out of the Three Deans and Coach White. Hal has been dragged to the bathroom and laid out on the floor as if he's having a seizure. He has stopped speaking, stopped trying to move, and just lies there listening and observing. Here we discover, through the manic and chaotic discussion, that Hal seems to have two sides to him now. He can play tennis. He reads. He can function if left on his own to do what needs to be done. But when he attempts to communicate, he becomes a flailing monster that makes the most horrendous noises. All three Deans act traumatized. Whatever happened to Hal has had such severe consequences that this scene was needed to try to understand exactly how horrible it is for strangers to see Hal attempt to communicate. Or to make facial expressions. Or to move at all.
And that's the big mystery! What the fuck happened to Hal? The novel gives us three major possibilities, and possibly a few minor ones. Was it the mold he ate at five years old? Was it the military grade hallucinogens Michael Pemulis sourced for them? Or did Hal eventually watch his father's deadly Entertainment, Infinite Jest? I don't have those answers because I've only read the book once. Answering what happened to Hal is the point of reading it again. Hopefully I won't have to read it a third time!
Although, I mean, if I do, it wouldn't be so bad. It's a great fucking read whether you put it all together or not!
Piecing Together the November, DAU, to November, Glad, Timeline
November, Year of the Depends Adult Undergarment: Hal played beautifully at the WhataBurger Southwest Junior Invitational where Coach White first observed him for recruitment.
February, Year of Glad: Coach White, via correspondence, recruited Hal for the University of Phoenix tennis program after Hal's graduation from Enfield in December, Year of Glad.
Hal Incandenza, Monster.
The Three Deans of the University of Arizona.
Aubrey deLint, Enfield Tennis Academy Prorector.
Coach White, Varsity Tennis Coach, University of Arizona.
Charles Tavis, Headmaster, Enfield Tennis Academy, Hal's Uncle.
A Man in Espadrilles, Loo User.
Characters Mentioned
Orin Incandenza, Punter for the Arizona Cardinals, Hal's Older Brother.
Scene: Men's Restroom at University of Arizona.
However Hal acted, however he sounded, it freaked the fuck out of the Three Deans and Coach White. Hal has been dragged to the bathroom and laid out on the floor as if he's having a seizure. He has stopped speaking, stopped trying to move, and just lies there listening and observing. Here we discover, through the manic and chaotic discussion, that Hal seems to have two sides to him now. He can play tennis. He reads. He can function if left on his own to do what needs to be done. But when he attempts to communicate, he becomes a flailing monster that makes the most horrendous noises. All three Deans act traumatized. Whatever happened to Hal has had such severe consequences that this scene was needed to try to understand exactly how horrible it is for strangers to see Hal attempt to communicate. Or to make facial expressions. Or to move at all.
And that's the big mystery! What the fuck happened to Hal? The novel gives us three major possibilities, and possibly a few minor ones. Was it the mold he ate at five years old? Was it the military grade hallucinogens Michael Pemulis sourced for them? Or did Hal eventually watch his father's deadly Entertainment, Infinite Jest? I don't have those answers because I've only read the book once. Answering what happened to Hal is the point of reading it again. Hopefully I won't have to read it a third time!
Although, I mean, if I do, it wouldn't be so bad. It's a great fucking read whether you put it all together or not!
Piecing Together the November, DAU, to November, Glad, Timeline
November, Year of the Depends Adult Undergarment: Hal played beautifully at the WhataBurger Southwest Junior Invitational where Coach White first observed him for recruitment.
February, Year of Glad: Coach White, via correspondence, recruited Hal for the University of Phoenix tennis program after Hal's graduation from Enfield in December, Year of Glad.
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