Free Atop an Underwood by Jack Kerouac Page A

times like these that I feel like taking a swim.
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    Sincerity is the pole-star by which I steer;
I see it here and I see it everywhere—
Even in the spiritless eyes of tired laborers
I see a spark of it.
I accept sincerity because it tops all things;
I shall have no part of the mundane.
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    Gluttony?
I do not believe in the word:
I am as sensate as a gourmand king,
And perhaps more. I need with a will, and fill them
likewise.
My food is often that of books,
For in them I find the steak and the beef for my famished
brain;
And oftentimes, for dessert, I nibble at some sweet
Saroyan.
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    My pipe sends odors and aromas of delicate nicotine thru
my nose;
Thus, I never hesitate to light it in order to enjoy further
This heaven of fine sweet smoke.
They tell me that life will be shortened, and I listen
attentively;
But in a moment I desire my nicotine, and so I light my
pipe
Without any regard for their solemn warnings.

Radio Script: The Spirit of ‘14
    In June 1940 Kerouac and six friends (George J. Apostolos, William W. Chandler, James F. Cuerden, Frances R. Hayward, Sebastian G. Sampas, and Raymond E. Walsh) organized the Variety Players Group, for which Kerouac wrote this script. The group was probably modeled on Orson Welles’s radio drama ensemble Mercury Theater on the Air. The announcer in the play explains that the author is Jack Kerouac of Columbia University, and although Kerouac did not start college until September 1940, the play may date from the summer before his freshman year. It is possible that he wrote it as late as the spring of 1941, several months before Japanese warplanes attacked U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, on Oahu island of Hawaii, drawing America into the widening world war.
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    THEME
    ANNOUNCER: This evening, the Variety Players present a short dramatization of the play called “The Spirit of’14,” written by Jack Kerouac of Columbia University, and directed by William Chandler, President of the Variety Players Group.
    MUSIC: SOFT, WHILE ANNOUNCER SPEAKS IN A NARRATIVE TONE
    ANNOUNCER: The scene is not an elaborate one. We find ourselves comfortably settled in a comfortably squalid barroom. Seated at a solitary table in the corner is a Legionnaire, sipping spasmodically from a glass of beer. He seems to be expecting someone. The bartender pays absolutely no attention to him, as if he weren’t in the room. But there is a noise outside (NOISE OF HALF-DOZEN VOICES FROM WITHOUT) and the doors of the barroom open violently (SOUND OF VOICES LOUDER ACCOMPANIED BY SOUND OF OPENING DOOR) allowing in a group of happy young people.
    JIM: Hah! We’ve found just the spot. C’mon kids! In we go!
    VOICES: HUBBUB OF LAUGHTER, MERRIMENT, STAMPING OF FEET, SHOUTING.
    JIM: Hey Bartender! We’re starting off with six beers—shoot ’em right up!
    BARTENDER: (FROM DISTANCE) Righto!
    ANNOUNCER: (WITH THEME PLAYED SOFTLY AND HUBBUB OF YOUNGSTERS AS BACKGROUND) Our solitary Legionnaire seems to have found the party he was waiting for. He sits up straight and watches the youngsters.
    JACK: Margie, you play the piano! We’ll form a chorus and sing the Alma Mater! ...
    SOUND: (AFTER SHORT PAUSE, WHICH IS FILLED BY HUBBUB) PIANO PLAYING TYPICAL COLLEGE ALMA MATER SONG
    VOICES: ALL SING FURTIVELY AND JOYFULLY
    ANNOUNCER: Our Legionnaire stands and stares at the group of singing school youngsters. He nods his head slowly.
    JIM: Hey, pipe the Legionnaire, Jack. Let’s go over and talk to him, . . . . . he seems to be down in the dumps. Here, bring him a beer . . . .
    JACK: Okay.
    SOUND: HUBBUB AND SINGING GOES ON
    ANNOUNCER: The two college students approach the solitary table, where sits the solitary Legionnaire...
    JIM: (SHOUTS LIGHTLY) Buck up, soldier! Here’s an extra brew.
    LEGIONNAIRE: Thanks.
    JACK: I guess it was sorta peaceful before we got in here, huh? Cigarette?
    LEGIONNAIRE: Thanks.
    JIM: Here’s a light. How do you like our women—not