Summary

Zuckerman stands outside his apartment watching the funeral procession when he is suddenly approached by Alvin Pepler. Zuckerman is caught off guard and is a little nervous. Pepler proudly declares that, thanks to his photographic memory, he has memorized the title and pertinent information of every popular American song of the last century. Intrigued, Zuckerman begins quizzing Pepler, and Pepler is able to name the top 15 hit songs for every year that Zuckerman names. Zuckerman grows amused as Pepler’s performance grows more energetic and creative. Zuckerman mentally compares watching Pepler to Hemingway watching a lion in Africa to gather material for fiction. A reporter approaches Zuckerman and asks if he is there for the funeral, which is supposedly being held for a famous lawyer for the mafia. Zuckerman says he is not, and the reporter goes away.

Beginning on page 143, Pepler shows...