American Splendor
written by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini, from the comics by Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner
Harvey: My name is Harvey Pekar. That's an unusual name, Harvey Pekar. 1960 was the year I got my first apartment and my first phone book. Now imagine my surprise when I looked up my name and saw that in addition to me, another Harvey Pekar was listed. Now I was listed as "Harvey L. Pekar." My middle name is Lawrence. He was listed as "Harvey Pekar." Therefore his was a, was a pure listing. Then in the 70s, I noticed that a third Harvey Pekar was listed in the phone book. Now, this filled me with curiosity. How could there be three people with such an unusual name in the world, let alone in one city?
Then one day, a person I work with? Expressed her sympathy to me concerning what she thought was the death of my father and she pointed out an obituary notice in the newspaper for a man named Harvey Pekar. And one of his sons was named Harvey. These were the other Harvey Pekars. Then six months later Harvey Pekar Junior died. Although I'd met neither man, I was filled with sadness. What were they like? I thought. It seemed our lives had been linked in some...indefinable way. But the story does not end there, for two years later, another Harvey Pekar appeared in the phone book. Who are these people? Where do they come from? What do they do? What's in a name? Who is Harvey Pekar?
Kudos and much thanks go to Angel for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.