FROM: Henry Mattias
TO: emmyforest@prodigy.net
SUBJ: re: Typewriter piece final draft
DATE: 11-02-02

Emily,

I like the way this story has turned out. You've done a good job of molding a lot of material into a very readable review.

At this point, my only quibble is nonessential - let me know if you'd like to address it. You were quite negative about "Steel Centipede" without at all engaging the text; perhaps you could tone down your attack, since we don't have space to get into a discussion of the work's shortcomings?

If you'd like to alter the article at all, let me know - we've still got another workday before it's too late. Otherwise, congratulations, and I hope to get you involved with our 2003 books preview.

best regards,

Henry

This automated response:

FROM: MAILER-DAEMON@prodigy.net
TO: Henry Mattias
SUBJ: Returned mail: re: Typewriter piece final draft
DATE: 11-03-02

User's mailbox is full: emmyforest@prodigy.net
Unable to deliver mail.

This torn, wrinkled magazine clipping:

rkable evolution of the writing machine. The writing in "Steel Centipede: The Evolution of the Typewriter" isn't much to talk about, but the volume contains some remarkable photos that illustrate the machine's various stages of development. One of the first machines it depicts is the 1889 Merritt, a dead-end on the typewriter's evolutionary tree but an altog

This note, typed on a 1924 IBM Electromatic:

I guess if you know me you know what it is like for me to read this. And if you don't know me you are probably standing around with a stupid look on your face.

This email:

FROM: mwenner@uicm.edu
TO: jrnathan21@uchicago.edu
SUBJ: remembrance of things past
DATE: 12-18-02

Julie,

Hey. Hope all is going well for you. How're things going with David? I heard you two were going through a rough time. I hope you're still going strong and that you're managing to work everything out. I've always thought that the two of you were really good together.

I guess things aren't going well out here. Maybe time for a pow-wow if you've got time to get up to Minneapolis sometime, maybe? Or I could come down to Chicago? If you're busy I don't want to intrude or anything. But it might be fun to show you around up here, or kind of see the old haunts down in Chi-town.

Did you see what that magazine said about 'Steel Centipede'? I was utterly floored when I read it.

I'm really getting lonely out here. Remember that bitch Alyson? I miss her, I really do. If only because when she was around, it meant you and I were in Chicago together and if I was putting up with her it's because you and Craig and Dan and Kelly were all hanging around. I realize that I'm supposed to be digging this part of the country but the Twin Cities are driving me nuts - it's all snow, snow, more snow and it's too cold to walk anything less than full tilt through it all. They kill their Democratic senators up here, which I'm against. God, it's even cold in the apartment right now, and I've already cranked up the heat. I'm 32, and what the fuck have I accomplished? If this is what I have to show after this work, what the hell do I have? I don't know what my options are at the moment - I'm just missing everything we had when we were all down in Chicago together. I'd love to drop by and just see how everything is - let me know if you get a free weekend or whatever.

Whew! Sorry to drop all that on you. Looking forward to your reply.

really yours,

Michael

This reply:

FROM: jrnathan21@uchicago.edu
TO: mwenner@uicm.edu
SUBJ: re: remembrance of things past
DATE: 12-19-02

things are okay with me and david. just went through a rocky patch - kelly probably told you. anyway, we've figured some stuff out and are moving ahead.

no time to meet anytime soon. maybe afterxmas?!?

sorry to hear about the bad review of "Centipede" - don't sweat it! at least it means someone's reading you. :) and i'm sure there'll be other chances at greatness.

gotta run.

xxoxoxo

julez

This bank statement:

NOTICE OF OVERDRAWN ACCOUNT
Michael J. Wenner
Account 411661
A check in the amount of $131.41 to AP Gas and Electric on 12-16-02 could not be cashed
Reason: Insufficient funds
Please remit penalty of $30.00 to the following address:
Associated Bank 984 E Hennepin AveÊ Minneapolis, MN 55480

This book flap:

"Michael Wenner is an associate professor at Upper Iowa College in Minnesota, Minneapolis. He has studied the history of typewriters for more than six years, and wrote his doctoral thesis on the evolution of mechanical typing devices. He lives in Minneapolis."

This form letter:

Thank you for submitting your article to Esquire.

Due to the volume of unsolicited submissions we receive, we regret that we can not reply to you in a more personal manner.

Although the editors appreciate your submission, we feel that it does not meet our standards for publication. We hope that you will consider submitting material to us again in the future.

warm regards,

Nathan Stewart
Non-Fiction Editor
Esquire

This death certificate:

DECEASED-NAME:
Michael Jonathan Wenner

SEX:
Male

TIME OF DEATH:
approximately 5:10 a.m.

DATE OF DEATH:
December 21, 2002

WAS THE DECEASED A VETERAN?:
No

INFORMANT'S NAME:
Alexander Leon Petrov

RELATIONSHIP TO DECEASED:
Neighbor

IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF DEATH
DUE TO OR AS A CONSEQUENCE OF:
Strangulation due to hanging

DESCRIBE HOW INJURY OCCURED:
Self-inflicted death by power cord

This birthday card:

Michael,

I know your birthday falls pretty close to Christmas, so I thought I'd ship this off a little early to try to catch you before the big day!

I just re-read that email you sent me a few days ago, remember? The one about your book? That must have been tough. I'll try and give you a call one of these days and we'll talk. Would really like to see you after break, but David and I have that trip to France! I'm really excited! What can I bring you from Paris?

Should we keep our eyes peeled for some fancy antique European typewriters?!

J/K, we can't very well haul those back in our luggage! Anyway, hang in there.

Much love,

Julie