What, specifically, can you tell me about the Orchid Interviews? Well back then, around that time we're focusing on, the
best sound came out of TEAK reel-to-reel machines. The Orchid Interviews are on these big tapes, the kind of tapes that fit
on the big machines. So you'd first have to find a machine. No, actually, last I heard, the tapes were missing. They
were, I know, in the New York Public Library System for a number of years, right here in the city, but then they
disappeared. All it takes is one slick whosit to slip something in a bag and return a bogus tape, you know what I mean?
But then the Orchid Interview transcripts began appearing. Or supposedly began appearing. I saw one. What did it look
like? Rough. The pages were all curled, someone had used it as a coaster and spilled coffee on it, you know, that kind of
thing. Did you read it? Did I ever. I was at this party and someone opened a knapsack--we called them knapsacks back
then--and I saw it and inquired because I heard there was going to be a playwright at this party, see, but it turns out to
be an honest to God transcript of the Orchid Interview. I curled up with that thing for the better part of the night. It
was like the party was peripheral, you know? You're killing me, Jack. I mean, c'mon, what did it say? I don't know. What
do you mean you don't know? Someone slipped me something in a drink. I woke up 6 blocks from the party with no shirt. I
never saw the kid or the manuscript again and I can only remember what I have told you.