Author(s): Jonathan Lethem

Fiction

Lucinda works in an art installation called The Complaint Line, listening to anonymous callers air their random grievances. And one day, she falls desperately in love with a regular caller. She also plays bass in a struggling band whose lyricist, Bedwin, is suffering from writer's block, and whose lead singer, Matthew, has kidnapped a kangaroo from the local zoo to save it from ennui. When Lucinda 'suggests' some of 'The Complainer's' philosophical musings to Bedwin he transforms them into brilliant songs and the band gets its big break - an invitation to appear on LA's premier alternative radio show. The only problem is 'The Complainer'. He insists on joining the band - with disasterous consequences.