Page 12
By Jack Joseph Smith
By Jack Joseph Smith
Original Scan
AI Interpretation
The speaker credits Gibby with an exceptional I. Q. exceeded only by the Pope, recalls his fear at a hamburger stand, and declares love for Carol.
Gibby cares about false impressions, and his fear accompanies a detail about the top button of his suit. The writer admits swearing in a book addressed to Carol. The closing sentence breaks off before explaining what she told Gibby.
Under '(Loud applause)' the page credits Gibby with a 'higher I. Q. than anybody / in the world, except the / Pope', then shows him 'scared' at a hamburger stand, with fear that 'turned down the / top button' as someone who 'knew what / false impressions ment.' It closes on an exchange with Carol ('"Well what's matter."', '"Carol, I love you, poor that's'), and the writer admits 'I didn't expect to swear in / this book'.
The mock-applause opening and the joke about the Pope set up an exaggerated tribute that turns anxious in the middle of the page. The last third changes to direct address, with a declaration of love tied to an admission of helplessness ('can't do anything about it'). Self-aware lines about the book itself place the writer inside the story.