Ask The Author: Gary Percesepe

Gary Percesepe’s “Something” is included in the July issue. He speaks to you about stopping, cities, stalking and other somethings.

1. How did you know “Something” was complete when writing it?

The music stopped.

2. What city has your favorite subway?

New York. The Paris Metro a close second, for the art deco signs lit against the lavender sky.

3. Who would you stalk? How would you do it?

Pari. The dream went by this way: Speed Off piste, in a snowfield, after skiing Telluride’s double diamond gonzo Gold Hill Chutes below 13,320-foot Palmyra Peak. On my birthday. She’s hot enough to melt February snow. I catch up to her at last and remove her size 5 ski boots. That’s size 35 in Italia, but it doesn’t sound nearly as sexy.
In real life, no one. A friend of mine in New York was stalked a while back, and it creeped me out. I wanted to find the guy and rearrange his aspect.

4. Who got served?

We both did, at Pastis in the meatpacking district one night in June. She had a hamburger and beer, I went with the steak frites. But she stole half my fries and slathered them in ketchup. A guy’s girl. After, the walk to the 14th Street station. Sometime later, the poem. She was something. Also, gone.

5. What city has the best hiss?

New York. Prague by the Castle. It’s Kafka, crying. And the ghosts carry the rest away.

6. Where’s the body?

Brooklyn, of course. I’d say by the bar on the water in Red Hook, to tease her, but she’d clobber me.