Kate Zambreno

So, a Hollywood action figure is now governor of California. Like three weeks ago, ten whales washed up on a beach in Australia. A little while back, a meteorite crashed into a village in India and killed five people. And the Cubs game is on television at the Rainbo.

It is now officially the end of the world.

As it turns out, like everyone in this city, those frequenting the hipper-than-thou hangout have fast become closet Cubs fans. During Game One of the NLCS, the Wicker Park bar is practically empty and everyone inside watches the muted play.

The bartenders' eyes are glued to the tiny TV set a regular claims has only been used three times in the 'bo's history--9/11, the Super Bowl, and now the Cubs playoffs. A girl in glasses sits puffing away and yells at the screen. A hipster shimmies up to the bar, tossing his messenger bag to the ground. "I've never seen this thing on," he smirks at the bartender. Someone admits he used to play the game, in junior high, so he's familiar with the general rules. "He has an intense look on his face," he observes of a Marlin up to bat. When Sammy Sosa hits the two-run homerun to tie the game, it's hard not to get caught up in the general excitement.

The game is now tied. A group huddled in a booth debates whether there's an overtime in baseball. How many innings are there again, eight? Nine? "So they just keep on playing until someone wins?" a girl asks. They watch. Guess so. But then they lose. Oh well. The room starts to fill up and everyone goes back to acting bored.

(2003-10-16)

Also by Kate Zambreno

Dr. Laura
Being against love is a little like being against Christmas
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Tip of the Week
What was formerly "Chicago Book Week" has now stretched to a month-long festival, which begs the question, have we as a city become more literate or does it just take us longer to read?
(2003-10-01)

Tip of the Week
Founder and editor Todd Dills promises that Monday's event at The Hideout celebrating installment #12 of the literary broadside will be a "mad li'l variety show, I think."
(2003-09-17)

New Bar
Folks are already calling this new Pilsen spot opened up by the owners of the Rainbo Club the "Rainbo: Reloaded."
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Tip of the Week
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Sensuous Chicago: Smell
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Tip of the Week
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Domestic blister
(2003-07-30)

Skate on State
(2003-07-23)

In Heat
(2003-07-23)

Tip of the Week
(2003-07-16)

Hijacking hijinks
(2003-07-09)

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