Hey, Amir Bar-Lev, director of the upcoming Dead documentary. Whatcha doing?
“Going mad.”
Not there yet?
“Soon.”
How’s the movie?
“Not movie. Movies.”
What?
“The film has evolved and expanded.”
…
Please don’t say–
“It is now the Grateful Dead Cinematic Universe.”
–cinematic…goddammit.
“Five solo films to introduce the characters, and then a team-up trilogy.”
I don’t know.
“Plus spin-off films.”
Wall of Sound get one?
“Yes!”
Bear get one?
“Yes!”
Road crew get one?
“Yes!”
Betty get one?
“We’ll see.”
Right. This may not be a great idea, Amir.
“Or it might be the best idea.”
…
No. It is not the best idea at all.
“Can I talk to you?”
That’s what we’re doing.
“I don’t know how to say this. I have a problem. Little problem. Maybe not a problem at all.
Just spit it out.
“Ah, well, see: I’ve been spending so much time looking at the Grateful Dead, and…they’ve started speaking to me.”
Okay. And?
…
“That was the problem.”
Oh! Okay. I’ve gotten used to that.
“They speak to you too?”
Little bit.
“Can you tell them to stop bothering me?”
I could, but that would make them bother you more.
…
“Garcia’s origin movie is being split into two parts and he’s got a Chinese friend to appeal to the Asian market.”
What’s the Chinese friend’s name?
“Choog Li.”
Clever.
choog li < choog li