DAY TWO

People are so human. That’s the kind of thing art students say, right?

Michael and I are aboard an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum called The Intrepid – every inch of this place reminds me of Grandpa. We marvel at the death toys and make remarks about the effectiveness of American military propaganda, hoping our reactions to the planes and guns will wash out somewhere between self-aware and not. One exhibit reads:

“The pilots describe flying over bomb-scarred landscapes devoid of human activity. They also write about their mustaches, or lack thereof.”

I wonder if they were hoping for the same blend of self-reflection. 

Over the course of the afternoon, the United States fights World War II, lands on the moon, loses John F. Kennedy, and re-elects LBJ. Which reminds me, I need to finish Robert Schenkkan’s historical drama All the Way. Which takes us to…

The Drama Book Shop (DBS). People like to hate on Lin-Manuel Miranda, but at least he helped save this safe harbor to drama-nerd out. I spy a poster for Once Upon a Mattress next to The Dining Room, two of the first plays I was ever involved in. I like to think it’s a good omen. Also on the walls of the DBS: “THE ALGORITHM!”, the store’s recommendation service. That feels more like a bad omen these days.

Sushi. Good omen. I stop keeping track after that. Tomorrow we hit the road for Cleveland.

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