Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian

Author:Janet Tashjian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Published: 2012-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

ELECTION COUNTDOWN

MAY: LARRYFEST2

It was Bono’s interest in my message that had first catapulted me into the stratosphere. This time around, it wasn’t one person who jumpstarted the campaign; hundreds of people were intrigued by our non-traditional platform and contributed to the cause.

Matt Groening and his staff wrote Beth and me into a Simpsons episode seen by millions.68 Jon Stewart and I had a spirited conversation on The Daily Show. Historian Howard Zinn met us at several locations and spoke to the crowds about third-party candidates throughout history.

That’s not to say Bono wasn’t crucial to our campaign. When he suggested Larryfest2, I jumped at the chance.

Normally a project that size would take several months or years to plan, but with our posse of volunteers and Bono’s clout, we set it up in the same field in Maine, this time Memorial Day weekend instead of Fourth of July.

Janine was in heaven. She lined up the perfect mix of artists, running the spectrum from alternative to mainstream.

And it wasn’t only the acts she brought her creativity to; her ideas for the campsites and food stalls were equally inventive. In the spirit of the original Larryfest, we would charge no admission but would take donations and set up voter registration booths throughout the site. Even Bono suggested we charge something—it was a fund-raiser, after all—but the spirit of Larryfest was a force I didn’t want to mess with, even for a cause as important as effecting social change.

There were a few other differences. This time around, Beth knew I was Larry.

Of course the rest of the world did too.

Whereas last time I had walked through the crowds anonymously, I now stopped to shake hands often and talk with the people who’d traveled to Maine to join in the festivities. As much as I wanted to make contact with the citizenry, I felt let down that I couldn’t re-create the awe and camaraderie Beth and I had shared before. When the fireworks went off at midnight, all I could think about was the missed opportunity to consummate our relationship the last time.

As medallions of purple and green filled the sky, I heard a voice behind me.

“Remember that night?”

“What do you think I’m sitting here thinking about?”

Beth sat down beside me. “I wanted you so much.”

“You did?” God, could I buy a clue?

“I was so mad you didn’t make a move.”

“Yeah, since you’re so shy.”

She asked if I was nervous about tomorrow. I told her that Simon, Janine, and Susie had it under control.

“I’m asking because Bono’s not here yet. Neither is Dashboard Confessional or No Doubt.”

I shrugged. “Maybe they’re flying in early tomorrow. Did you ask Simon?”

“I would, but we’re not speaking.”

Now, this was interesting. “Is it because of …” I motioned to the space between us.

“God, Josh, everything is not about you, okay?”

“Yeah, I’m sure he wants to run through tomorrow’s schedule when he’s wondering if his girlfriend is going to cheat on him or not.”

She looked at me as if I’d said something as grotesque as a racial slur.

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