A Young Man's Guide to Late Capitalism (40 page)

That suitcase lay splayed open beneath the hotel window now.

Sitting upright on the bed in his room, he abandoned his sandwich and set the plate on his bedside table. The television played
Zoolander.
He read the subtitles and saw that very few of the jokes translated. He kept watching until, at last, he didn't even notice the subtitles anymore. Then, fading a little, he turned off the television, turned off the lights. He rolled onto his side, closed his eyes, and lay there, motionless, listening to the voices below.

FOR GENEROUS SUPPORT while I was working on this book, many thanks to Seattle Arts and Lectures, Bread Loaf, the Richard Hugo House, Yaddo, and the Elizabeth George Foundation.

For years of steady encouragement and cheerleading, the majestic Lilly Rubin. Too, I owe an incalculable debt to David Shields. I've had years of support from my siblings.

In the department of keen editorial advice: Sandy Mountford, Jennifer Mountford, and the inimitable Anne Connell. My HMH-appointed copyeditor, Dr. Tracy Roe (I'm not being funny, she's actually a physician), is a spectacularly astute reader. Also, lest she be forgotten, my very editor herself, Adrienne Brodeur, who is not only a marvelous and brilliant person in general, but, it should be noted, gave the most marvelous and useful editorial suggestions I've ever seen.

Much thanks to a killer agent named Henry Dunow. And, for always being there when I'm frantically in need of advice, Tina Pohlman.

And for guidance and advice some supremely generous Bolivians: Eduardo Arce Bastos, Juan Fernando, Luis Aranibar, Luz Maria, Alvaro, and Juan Carlos Calderon and Mercedes. Thank you all for helping me discover your magnificent country.