Chapter 60
Peter Allen sang inside but I missed it and later when he asked me if I heard it and I said no, he turned away. Another Another distant person. If I run into Sylvia Miles and she s distant, I'll know I'm really in trouble. Then at 9:15 we left. Jane and I went to La Reserve at 4 West 49th for the dinner that Michel Roux was giving for Keith and Kenny, they've both done paintings of the Absolut Vodka bottle. Had fun there. distant person. If I run into Sylvia Miles and she s distant, I'll know I'm really in trouble. Then at 9:15 we left. Jane and I went to La Reserve at 4 West 49th for the dinner that Michel Roux was giving for Keith and Kenny, they've both done paintings of the Absolut Vodka bottle. Had fun there.
Jane walked me home. I watched Letterman Letterman and I liked the lady admiral he had on. Oh, and Quentin Crisp was at the Whitney and he looks younger than ever, just great. He told me that Letterman, when you're on his show, it's like being out with a gay guy-you know how they're always looking and I liked the lady admiral he had on. Oh, and Quentin Crisp was at the Whitney and he looks younger than ever, just great. He told me that Letterman, when you're on his show, it's like being out with a gay guy-you know how they're always looking past past you, looking around for somebody you, looking around for somebody better better. He said that's what Letterman's like on the air.
And I took my quarter-Valium and went to bed. And I guess I have to confess to the Diary that I am a Valium addict. I'm addicted. Because I read in the paper the symptoms and I've got them. And starting in December you're going to need more signatures to get them, so I'll have to stock up now.
Friday, October 3, 1986 Talked to my nephew, Donald. His friend David is doing the social New York bit and Donald's more serious. David's going after the girls at Interview Interview and not thinking enough about work. and not thinking enough about work.
Sunday, October 5, 1986 Stuart couldn't decide whether to go to the flea market or go give a lecture in Bridgeport, Connecticut and earn $200 but he decided to go to Bridgeport because he (laughs) (laughs) wanted the money so he gave this lecture and I guess he's good at it and in Bridgeport he found some garage sales and got a nature encyclopedia for just $3 and here I paid $75 for a regular kind and his has all drawings and everything. This was his "trip to the country." He never leaves town. Stuart is a real weirdo. Full of knotted nerves. And he was excited later because a pipe cleaner was coming over. That's what he calls the girls who come over for s.e.x. wanted the money so he gave this lecture and I guess he's good at it and in Bridgeport he found some garage sales and got a nature encyclopedia for just $3 and here I paid $75 for a regular kind and his has all drawings and everything. This was his "trip to the country." He never leaves town. Stuart is a real weirdo. Full of knotted nerves. And he was excited later because a pipe cleaner was coming over. That's what he calls the girls who come over for s.e.x.
Got stuck in the Polish Day parade. Nick Rhodes was calling during the day but I missed the calls. One of the Taylors isn't in the group anymore but Nick owns the name so it's still Duran Duran.
Billy Boy I hear is in town but he hasn't called me or Chris. And I really hate him now-his jewelry breaks! Every gingerboy broke! Every one! But I can't imagine why he didn't call. He's a social climber, so he must be after somebody better.
Then went to meet that kid named Stephen Bluttal from the Museum of Modern Art and went to the closing night of the Lily Tomlin play. Had really good seats. The Campbell's Soup Can was all through it and the play seemed a lot like the Philosophy Philosophy book. She does a bag lady that really sounded like a bag lady. She has a great body. At the end Jane Wagner came out and they were crying and kissed, very feminine. There was a party afterwards but I didn't go to it. book. She does a bag lady that really sounded like a bag lady. She has a great body. At the end Jane Wagner came out and they were crying and kissed, very feminine. There was a party afterwards but I didn't go to it.
Bianca and Glenn Dubin broke up. I never understood why they were together in the first place, what she could get from him. Because she is is a hustler and she really was after Calvin-I saw her just be a hustler and she really was after Calvin-I saw her just be so so after him. But then marrying Bianca wouldn't kill gay rumors, and Kelly was a real girl. But Bianca should've gone after someone like Sid Ba.s.s. I mean, if Mercedes Kellogg can get him-she's just such a dog, that kinky hair.... after him. But then marrying Bianca wouldn't kill gay rumors, and Kelly was a real girl. But Bianca should've gone after someone like Sid Ba.s.s. I mean, if Mercedes Kellogg can get him-she's just such a dog, that kinky hair....
Tuesday, October 7, 1986 There was a party for Beverly Johnson at Mr. Chow's. Every person in the world was there. Beverly Johnson asked me to go sit at Eddie Murphy's table but I just couldn't. There was just one chair and I wouldn't have known what to talk about. I'd have to be macho. It's funny how you haven't heard his name in a year, isn't it? I think people want to see lots of cheap quickie B movies. The big stars do these few big expensive movies, and they're away for a whole year. He's got the new movie coming out, Golden Child Golden Child. Grace Jones arrived late and made an entrance.
Peter Beard was there and looks really good. And his new girlfriend is nothing like all his other girlfriends, she's from Afghanistan. And I heard that Robert Mapplethorpe and Sam Wagstaff are both both in the hospital. Paige dropped me (newspapers $6). in the hospital. Paige dropped me (newspapers $6).
Wednesday, October 8, 1986 Sam's being nice to me because I haven't taken him anyplace in a few days. And Paige told me that now Sam doesn't speak to her her anymore. I don't know why he gets that way. Surly. He told me that Paige doesn't like him. He wants to be wanted in such a funny way. Instead of working anymore. I don't know why he gets that way. Surly. He told me that Paige doesn't like him. He wants to be wanted in such a funny way. Instead of working (laughs) (laughs) he wants to be wanted. But if he worked, he he wants to be wanted. But if he worked, he would would be wanted. And Fred is really tough on Sam. And on everybody. Fred is unbelievable. I can't believe how he's changed. When something's done wrong, he just says, "Get out!" Just like that. "Get out!" Just like Mrs. Vreeland. be wanted. And Fred is really tough on Sam. And on everybody. Fred is unbelievable. I can't believe how he's changed. When something's done wrong, he just says, "Get out!" Just like that. "Get out!" Just like Mrs. Vreeland.
Steven Greenberg was taking a whole group of us to the Color of Money Color of Money Actor's Studio benefit, and he was picking me up in his limo so I was trying to lock up and there was a problem so I left Vincent there with it and went to the Ziegfeld with Steven Greenberg. We walked in right behind Tom Cruise and Paul Newman, so n.o.body paid any attention to us. Paige got me popcorn. Saw Aidan Quinn and Mariel Hemingway and her husband. I sat with Cornelia who was more like her old friendly self, and Jane Holzer and Rusty came. And Victor Hugo was there and Ellen Burstyn made a speech and Paul Newman did. And the movie, I slept through most of it. I just wasn't interested in pool, and nothing was explained. And Paul Newman should've had s.e.x with the girl, then at least there could have been conflicts. You didn't know why anybody was doing anything and you didn't care, but there were funny lines. Everybody "in" was there. Actor's Studio benefit, and he was picking me up in his limo so I was trying to lock up and there was a problem so I left Vincent there with it and went to the Ziegfeld with Steven Greenberg. We walked in right behind Tom Cruise and Paul Newman, so n.o.body paid any attention to us. Paige got me popcorn. Saw Aidan Quinn and Mariel Hemingway and her husband. I sat with Cornelia who was more like her old friendly self, and Jane Holzer and Rusty came. And Victor Hugo was there and Ellen Burstyn made a speech and Paul Newman did. And the movie, I slept through most of it. I just wasn't interested in pool, and nothing was explained. And Paul Newman should've had s.e.x with the girl, then at least there could have been conflicts. You didn't know why anybody was doing anything and you didn't care, but there were funny lines. Everybody "in" was there.
And then I rode down to the party at the Palladium with Halston and they'd done the place up like a big gambling casino-huge pool-ball balloons on the ceiling, different colors, it was like walking into Studio 54 in the old days because they really did a big theme number. But it was so boring. Then Paige insisted on escorting me home. I don't know why she gets that way. I'm not a baby-as long as I get a cab, I'm fine.
Monday, October 13, 1986 I got the Enquirer Enquirer with Sean and Madonna on the cover and it was about Martin, how he was once Madonna's roommate and how he now has AIDS. And then Martin called me, and it must be so horrible to read this article about yourself where it says you're dying. with Sean and Madonna on the cover and it was about Martin, how he was once Madonna's roommate and how he now has AIDS. And then Martin called me, and it must be so horrible to read this article about yourself where it says you're dying.
And then I read Steve Aronson's article in New York magazine New York magazine on the Sid Ba.s.s and Mercedes Kellogg affair and it was riveting, he really got all the information. He even had about Mercedes returning Billy Norwich's call because she thought it was from Mick Jagger. It was day-by-day how the romance progressed. I have a funny feeling that Mercedes will never make it all the way to the altar. The divorce'll take two years and you can't spend all that time in bed. Should we all make bets? on the Sid Ba.s.s and Mercedes Kellogg affair and it was riveting, he really got all the information. He even had about Mercedes returning Billy Norwich's call because she thought it was from Mick Jagger. It was day-by-day how the romance progressed. I have a funny feeling that Mercedes will never make it all the way to the altar. The divorce'll take two years and you can't spend all that time in bed. Should we all make bets?
The alarm went off and I'd like to know if they can trigger it off from where they are, the alarm company.
Tuesday, October 14, 1986 Had a fight with Fred. He's getting more and more like Diana Vreeland every day. I say that Interview Interview is a small magazine and he says no no, it's not, it's not. And he won't let me put my two cents in about it. I tell him, "Fred, is a small magazine and he says no no, it's not, it's not. And he won't let me put my two cents in about it. I tell him, "Fred, Time Time is a 'large magazine.' They get $75,000 a page. We get $3,000." And he said, "No no, we get $3,100." I mean, what's the difference? is a 'large magazine.' They get $75,000 a page. We get $3,000." And he said, "No no, we get $3,100." I mean, what's the difference?
Paige said there was the opening of Nell's and that Steven Greenberg had a date with somebody she introduced him to and that he'd take us all to Le Bernardin, the expensive fish restaurant in the Equitable building. We went and it's so elegant, so grand, and the food is sort of ordinary, but very expensive. My fish was cooked in sauerkraut, so it was good, just like eating a hot dog on the corner.
Then we went with Steven to pick up Donna McKechnie who's back starring in Chorus Line Chorus Line. Steven knows all these same types of girls in their late thirties or forties who're on the prowl. Like Elizabeth Ray and Margaux Hemingway. Donna McKechnie was giving an interview to Frank Rich, and she's actually beautiful, but she's in a category that you can't do much with-forty-four and with a beautiful body, but it's hard to find another show to dance in. She was kind of cla.s.sy in a wh.o.r.ey way, and she had a dress that was showing her nakedness. She was too grand for me, but she was sweet.
Then we went down to 14th Street to the opening of Nell's and that was really exciting. Rupert Everett came in with a costar of his. And Nell was sweet, she said I would be the only one allowed to take pictures. But I didn't want to move around, really. Bianca was there and Lauren Hutton and Schnabel and everybody who'd ordinarily be at the Odeon. Paige went downstairs dancing with Benjamin and Schnabel and Alba Clemente and all those people. Peter Beard was there with his entourage. They'll charge $5 admission. I don't know if those downtown kids will put it down because they're so used to freebies. Then we left and I feel funny when Steven takes us out because although he spends so much money on us, I have the feeling in the back of my mind that he may be (laughs) (laughs) a secret cheap person. You know? I haven't figured out yet how he thinks. But he is always so generous to us. He dropped me off. And Steven and Nell both do the same thing-they carry a hairbrush and pull it out and brush their hair all the time. I guess Steven Greenberg's George Was.h.i.+ngton hair is his fortune, his trademark. a secret cheap person. You know? I haven't figured out yet how he thinks. But he is always so generous to us. He dropped me off. And Steven and Nell both do the same thing-they carry a hairbrush and pull it out and brush their hair all the time. I guess Steven Greenberg's George Was.h.i.+ngton hair is his fortune, his trademark.
Wednesday, October 15, 1986 Had a call from Chris Makos. Peter Wise is going off to Europe with Hedy Klineman to get her known in the galleries, she's so desperate to be famous as a painter. And the kid from the air force who was a bartender down in Florida when Chris went to Key West a few weeks ago, he's bringing him up here. The kid is really good-looking, he could be the best of all those models. Chris, you know, as usual (laughs) (laughs), sees himself as a young boy in this kid. His name is Ken.
Walked to work. Stuart called and wanted to be sure we were coming to the party at Buccellati's to raise money for his art school. I told Paige I'd meet her there at 8:00. Her and Wilfredo. Sam had a typing cla.s.s.
So at 8:00 Paige called and said where was I? And I went to Buccellati's (cab $3) and outside I said to Wilfredo, "I'm afraid to go in," and this man who was standing nearby (laughs) (laughs) came over and said, "That's very interesting. I am a psychiatrist and I'm staying at the Waldorf if you want to get in touch with me about this, because I specialize in phobias." It was just like a Peter Sellers movie. came over and said, "That's very interesting. I am a psychiatrist and I'm staying at the Waldorf if you want to get in touch with me about this, because I specialize in phobias." It was just like a Peter Sellers movie.
So Stuart was there and Paige made a faux pas faux pas and told Barbara Guggenheim about all the musicales Stuart's been having, and Barbara didn't know anything about them. And when Paige realizes she's made a and told Barbara Guggenheim about all the musicales Stuart's been having, and Barbara didn't know anything about them. And when Paige realizes she's made a faux pas faux pas she laughs hysterically. she laughs hysterically.
Thursday, October 16, 1986 Brigid's really upset because her mother's really bad, and she finally is realizing she'll be an orphan.
Had to leave the office office early at 6:30 because it was the night of a j.a.panese boat ride party, and it was black tie and I had a black tie with me but I only had white Reeboks but Fred and I went over anyway. early at 6:30 because it was the night of a j.a.panese boat ride party, and it was black tie and I had a black tie with me but I only had white Reeboks but Fred and I went over anyway.
Rupert came by with finally some good paintings that I've done. I could actually have a good show, 10' x 36' Camouflages. So the car picked us up. I couldn't close the alarm and I looked like a mess and I just knew it was one of those things where they treat you like royalty to get you there, but then when you step off the boat at the end of the ride, they won't even hand you a token for the subway, they've already "had" you.
Mr. Kuraoka from Nippon was so cute, it was all his food. And d.i.c.k Cavett got Bianca to talk on mike and she took a look at me and said, "What "What are you wearing?" I'm telling you, I was are you wearing?" I'm telling you, I was really really a mess. My b.u.t.tons didn't b.u.t.ton, my tie wasn't straight, the turtleneck was showing through the white s.h.i.+rt. And Skitch Henderson was there and I told him how much I missed him on TV and how he really developed that whole format of the host talking to the bandleader that they still use. And all I could think of was that big tax problem he'd had. a mess. My b.u.t.tons didn't b.u.t.ton, my tie wasn't straight, the turtleneck was showing through the white s.h.i.+rt. And Skitch Henderson was there and I told him how much I missed him on TV and how he really developed that whole format of the host talking to the bandleader that they still use. And all I could think of was that big tax problem he'd had.
It lasted till 9:30 and Fred was his old self, charming and nice to everyone. But at the end he whispered, "Let's be the first off the boat." And sure enough, there was no car for us. They do absolutely everything to get you there and absolutely nothing to get you home. So we paid a limo ($25) to take us and Fred dropped me.
Sat.u.r.day, October 18, 1986 Stuart called and said that he was interested in a platinum flute at Christie's that was going at auction, and he was trying to get me interested in the gold one. I met him and Sam there and looked at it and it would've made a good necklace. Stuart decided he wouldn't go above $120,000 for the platinum one. The silver one went for $4,400, and then I started bidding on the gold one but my last bid was $22,000 and it went for $40,000. The platinum flute was estimated at $40,000 but the bidding kept going up and up. Stuart kept his paddle up and I could feel feel his whole body next to me shaking as if he was having an o.r.g.a.s.m. He was in a panic to see who the other person was who was bidding, but
Everybody there thought it was me who'd bought it, not Stuart. People ran over and started giving me their cards and handing me copies of Flutist Flutist magazine. It was really funny. Then reporters came and asked why I wanted it, and to some of them I said because it had the World's Fair emblem on it so I needed it for my collection of World's Fair plastic knives and forks, and to some others I said I was buying it to melt down. Stuart couldn't even open his mouth to tell them it was magazine. It was really funny. Then reporters came and asked why I wanted it, and to some of them I said because it had the World's Fair emblem on it so I needed it for my collection of World's Fair plastic knives and forks, and to some others I said I was buying it to melt down. Stuart couldn't even open his mouth to tell them it was his his flute, he was still shaking, so I dragged him out of there. The other guy bidding turned out to be from New Hamps.h.i.+re and he looked rich. I told Stuart to invite him to one of his musical soirees and try to sell him something. The flute had a whole story, some man willed it to his mistress but then after he died his family couldn't believe he'd have a mistress so they held it up for ten years. It's American. Boston. Kincaid. flute, he was still shaking, so I dragged him out of there. The other guy bidding turned out to be from New Hamps.h.i.+re and he looked rich. I told Stuart to invite him to one of his musical soirees and try to sell him something. The flute had a whole story, some man willed it to his mistress but then after he died his family couldn't believe he'd have a mistress so they held it up for ten years. It's American. Boston. Kincaid.
Then Stuart wanted two double martinis and four hot chocolates, so we went and got them.
Then we went to the Antiques Center to see see if we could find another flute for $2. Stuart's trying to think of how to pay for this. Then he went home and I cabbed ($6) downtown. I'd made plans to see if we could find another flute for $2. Stuart's trying to think of how to pay for this. Then he went home and I cabbed ($6) downtown. I'd made plans to see Sid and Nancy Sid and Nancy with Stephen Sprouse. It was at the 57th Street Playhouse (tickets $18, popcorn $5). Ann Lambton played herself, the movie was sick, real-n.o.body would ever want to be a punk after they saw it. with Stephen Sprouse. It was at the 57th Street Playhouse (tickets $18, popcorn $5). Ann Lambton played herself, the movie was sick, real-n.o.body would ever want to be a punk after they saw it.
Sunday, October 19, 1986 Stuart was still in a daze over the $200,000 flute.
Monday, October 20, 1986 Stuart's flute was on the front page of USA Today Today but they didn't use his name. It just said but they didn't use his name. It just said (laughs) (laughs): "Record Price Paid for Flute." And he's funny, he pretends he doesn't want publicity, but then you can see he's so crushed when he doesn't get it. Like that story Steve Aronson wrote, he's so excited about it but he still pretends not to be.
John Powers called me from j.a.pan and he's looking for an Elvis to buy. There's one coming up at auction and the reserve is so low. It says "Three Elvises" but I don't know if it's a really big one or just where the images overlap three times.
Tuesday, October 21, 1986 Diane Von Furstenberg was having a party for her boyfriend, Alain Elkann, who was married to the Agnelli daughter. He's French. He's written four books, and in France if you're an intellectual, you don't have to work, they just treat you like this big-"intellectual." Like Loulou de la Falaise's husband who's supposed to be a novelist but I don't think he's ever finished anything. So Diane's going the Marilyn Monroe route of marrying one person for the name, and now she's going with this guy who'll write books about her.
Worked. Fred decided to come along. Closed up fast. Went to the Carlyle, ran into Sue Mengers in the elevator who'd been at the party, she was with her same husband and she's thin and I don't know what she's doing. She lives here now. The cake was in the shape of a book. Bob Colacello was there. I read his article on Bianca in the new Vanity Fair Vanity Fair. She's back big again, the pictures of her walking with the Salvadorean children in the fields.
Jean Michel called, back from the Ivory Coast. He said they sell meat with four million flies on it-they cut off a piece and just sell it with the flies. He sounded normal, like he was off drugs and missing old times, he wants to do prints together.
Friday, October 31, 1986 Benjamin was supposed to pick me up but he never showed. I wandered around. This was the day of the surprise birthday party Steven Greenberg was giving for Paige at Nell's. For days I'd just been shuffling papers for Paige's party, trying to help Tama do a good guest list, and I couldn't get it together, and then Gael took over and did it all really fast. Worked all afternoon. I went home and then Paige picked me up, and as far as she knew, we were just going to a blind-date dinner at Nell's.
So we get to Nell's and Paige still doesn't suspect anything and then right at the last second, right outside at the door Glenn O'Brien's wife Barbara was getting out of a cab and said, "Hi, Paige, we're here for your surprise party." We couldn't believe it, but Paige was distracted enough so it didn't really sink in and I think she actually was really shocked when she walked into the club and everybody screamed, "Surprise!"
Gael did a really great job pulling it all together and the party was so nice. I sat right where I did on the opening night-right by the front door-and I didn't move once. The party took up the whole street-level floor, and then they let the public in at 10:00 but they sent them downstairs. And it's the new look in restaurants-going for the sort of phony rich look. Dark with stuffed furniture.
And let's see, Thomas Ammann was there and Tama, and Nick Love from L.A. who's staying at Fred's. And Larissa was there, and Jay, and Wilfredo, and Gina and Peter Koper. And the new kid who works for Interview Interview who was at Paramount, Kevin Sessums. who was at Paramount, Kevin Sessums.
Halloween has really turned into a big holiday. It just used to be for kids but now it's the whole city. All the drag queens came in and I didn't recognize Kenny Scharf, I didn't at all. I finally recognized Joey Arias. I figured him out. And Jean Michel came late with his face wrapped in tin foil and n.o.body knew who he was (laughs) (laughs)-Paige was even talking to him because she didn't know.
Let's see who else was there. Calvin came with Kelly and Bianca and Steve Rubell came and Doug Henley. And Jimmy Buffett's wife. It was a lot of great people. I wanted Martin Burgoyne to come, but he said he had cancer all through his body, so that was... it was sad.
Sunday, November 2, 1986 Richard Turley called to tell me that Monique Van Vooren was on TV in a Tarzan movie. So I turned it on and it was just incredible-there she was with dark hair and a different nose and so ugly, and it was with Lex Barker. In the end she was shot in the belly.
Ran into Janet Sartin on Park Avenue when I was throwing out bread for the pigeons in the middle of the avenue. She said she did it, too.
Monday, November 3, 1986 Went over to the West Side to Dr. Li's (cab $5, newspapers $6). It was a really nice day. Kind of busy at the office. Sam was depressed, what else is new. He had big circles under his eyes, it seemed like he spent the night out. Vincent had been up till 6 A.M A.M. working on a video.
The Dia Foundation was having my opening. And there was the sixties party that Jane Holzer was having at the Ritz, Fred said we had to go to that. Doc c.o.x had called in the afternoon and wanted a ticket to the Ritz thing. I was surprised he wouldn't pay because it was a benefit for displaced or disabled kids.
So after the Dia Foundation thing we went to Jane's party and Jane didn't show the whole time we were there. We were walking out and Stephen Sprouse was there and he's really broke. He may be getting kicked out of his apartment. The deal he was going to sign got complicated. Everything always sounds so great until you start talking to the lawyers.
Wednesday, November 5, 1986 Stuart picked me up and we went over to Christie's and they (laughs) (laughs) wouldn't give him a paddle because he hadn't paid for his flute yet. I bought Stuart lunch at Sotheby's ($3.15). He had a bologna sandwich and it looked so good. Remember sandwiches like that? With mustard. And the slices were so thick. Like 3/8". The girl serving coughed in my tea, but I figured that since the tea was so hot, it'd be sterilized. wouldn't give him a paddle because he hadn't paid for his flute yet. I bought Stuart lunch at Sotheby's ($3.15). He had a bologna sandwich and it looked so good. Remember sandwiches like that? With mustard. And the slices were so thick. Like 3/8". The girl serving coughed in my tea, but I figured that since the tea was so hot, it'd be sterilized.
Then Stuart's driver drove me down to the office and he's great, the Brazilian bandleader, he got me there really fast.
It was pouring rain. Sam was going to go with me on the Forbes yacht but he didn't bring a jacket and tie like I'd told him to the day before so I disinvited him and took Fred who was thrilled to go.
So we went to the boat. This party was to publicize a new line of underwear. James Brady was a lot of fun, and Susan Mulcahy was there and Fred was in a skirt-pulling mood. And I talked to Mr. Tisch and his wife and (laughs) (laughs) we were standing there saying oh-how-tacky something was and right at that moment this lady from Texas came over to me and said that she'd just seen the ad for my portraits we were standing there saying oh-how-tacky something was and right at that moment this lady from Texas came over to me and said that she'd just seen the ad for my portraits (laughs) (laughs) in the Neiman-Marcus Christmas gift catalogue. So that cut me down to size and I started to laugh and Fred gave me a look like, "I hope you're happy," but he was laughing, too. He's still so mad that I okayed it for their catalogue while he was away in Europe. So that was really funny. in the Neiman-Marcus Christmas gift catalogue. So that cut me down to size and I started to laugh and Fred gave me a look like, "I hope you're happy," but he was laughing, too. He's still so mad that I okayed it for their catalogue while he was away in Europe. So that was really funny.
Thursday, November 6, 1986 This was the night Larry Gagosian was supposed to be giving a pre-opening dinner for me, I thought, but then Fred sort of told me it was cancelled. Somehow he didn't want me at it, I'll get to that later. So when Paige called and said there was a business dinner at Chantilly's which is a good restaurant on Park and 57th, I said I'd go to that.
Paige picked me up and we got to the restaurant forty minutes late. Steven Greenberg and Margaux Hemingway were invited and Michael Gross from the Times and Barbara Hodes who he just got married to, she used to design for Paraphernalia and she still looks the same as she did in the sixties. Sonia Rykiel was there, too.
Then Steven wanted to go to Nell's so we went down there, and we walk in and I saw Larry Gagosian and then I saw Fred sitting with Faye Dunaway and Jerry Hall! I'm not kidding! I don't know how that happened, if they were there and just coincidentally were sitting with him, but it seemed like this this was the dinner that Larry was supposed to be giving for was the dinner that Larry was supposed to be giving for me me. Fred was mumbling something like that he'd wanted to talk business with them alone or something. But I do think this dinner was supposed to be for me and that he'd told me it was cancelled just so I wouldn't go.
And Gagosian told me, "I got your Rorschach Test for my California show," and I said, "Where did you get it?" He said, "From Leo," and I said, "Oh, really? Did you buy buy it?" and he said, "No, it's consigned." I said, "Well you can't have it." I got mad and tough. Because it's just one more show not to have. And Larry, I don't know, he's really weird, he got in trouble for obscene phone calls and everything. He's weird. it?" and he said, "No, it's consigned." I said, "Well you can't have it." I got mad and tough. Because it's just one more show not to have. And Larry, I don't know, he's really weird, he got in trouble for obscene phone calls and everything. He's weird.
Friday, November 7, 1986 It was a messy day, raining and everything. Saw a great video on MTV by the Models, it's done sixties and it's like underground movies and there's an Edie and a me, and the me looks so cute, he's in a striped s.h.i.+rt, it's great. I don't know the t.i.tle of the song.
My opening was happening at Gagosian's and Stuart sent his car and I locked up and we went over there and ran into Stellan from Sweden who has a girlfriend who works on fas.h.i.+on at Interview Interview Marianne. And Yoko Ono was there. And we saw the show and Stuart was saying, "They're masterpieces," and I don't know if he was just b.u.t.tering me up or what. These are the p.i.s.s paintings, the Oxidations. And then these nice older women were asking me how I'd done them and I didn't have the heart to tell them what they really were because their noses were right up against them. And it was so crowded. Marianne. And Yoko Ono was there. And we saw the show and Stuart was saying, "They're masterpieces," and I don't know if he was just b.u.t.tering me up or what. These are the p.i.s.s paintings, the Oxidations. And then these nice older women were asking me how I'd done them and I didn't have the heart to tell them what they really were because their noses were right up against them. And it was so crowded.
Then went to Nippon with Sam and Wilfredo and Benjamin and Stuart and Barbara Guggenheim (dinner $280).
Sat.u.r.day, November 8, 1986 Sam called and said he'd been to four clubs with Benjamin: Rolodex, Beat the Zombie-something like that-and Save the Robot. Dolly Fox called and said that we were on for the Demi Moore play that night. Stuart called and picked me up and we went to a skeleton place on 14th Street, where they had bones from a one-year-old up to a twenty-six-year-old. Then I went to the office and worked all afternoon.
Closed up and went to Seventh Avenue and 4th Street (cab $5, tickets $30) and after the play we went "backstage" which turned out to be (laughs) (laughs) outside. I got Demi Moore to invite me out to her wedding on December 13th to Emilio Estevez, so that'll be a good time to go out, it's the big art time there. outside. I got Demi Moore to invite me out to her wedding on December 13th to Emilio Estevez, so that'll be a good time to go out, it's the big art time there.
Elizabeth Saltzman had invited me for dinner at Indochine. She was inviting Barry Tubbs and I was the draw. She's with Jellybean now, though. Cabbed to Indochine ($6). Barry Tubbs never came. Elizabeth didn't pay, which was odd because she'd invited us (dinner $200). Somebody came in and told us the whole story of the night before at Nell's, how Fred had stood on a table and pulled down his pants in front of the whole restaurant.
Then we went down to Nell's and there were eight of us (admission $40) and they got us the table in the back. We were there for a couple of hours and then I ran out without paying the check at Nell's. I just felt like it (cab $10).
Sunday, November 9, 1986 Donald was coming over, my nephew, and he's going back to Pittsburgh, giving up his job at the office office, and I told him he was giving up a big opportunity. He never changed his name from Warhola to Warhol, that should have given me the clue. He just doesn't like New York, I guess. I never took him out to anything. I don't know if that would have made a difference. I don't think so, but I don't know. He said he's going back to take care of his mother and father because they've been so good to him. I told him oh sure, who're you kidding. His father John is the one who worked for Sears, he just retired.
I called Fred and he was acting grand with me, telling me off. I just couldn't take it. I told him he was sounding very grand for somebody who'd dropped his pants at Nell's and then when I said that he became a different person-he didn't think I knew about that and it stopped him cold.
Watched MTV-the rebroadcast of our Fifteen Minutes Fifteen Minutes show-to see if it had aged well, and it did still look current, it looked modern. We've got to get the colors brighter, though. I've got to work on that. It should look the way Madonna looks in her "Papa Don't Preach" video where she's dancing like Marilyn or Kim Novak. Those strong colors. Blond hair and orange lipstick on black. show-to see if it had aged well, and it did still look current, it looked modern. We've got to get the colors brighter, though. I've got to work on that. It should look the way Madonna looks in her "Papa Don't Preach" video where she's dancing like Marilyn or Kim Novak. Those strong colors. Blond hair and orange lipstick on black.
Monday, November 10, 1986 Iolas came by, he's having a prostate operation and so my Last Supper show is being changed to December 15, which I'd hoped would be postponed even more, to March. Talked to Michel Roux about doing paintings of the bottles for his new mineral waters.
It was the night of the Barneys fas.h.i.+on show benefit for AIDS in the women's shop. Wilfredo was going and at first Sam said he didn't want to go but then when he heard Madonna was going to be there he felt he might.
We went over (cab $8) and we asked if Madonna was there yet and they said no, but she must have come in some disguise because when Iman came down the stairs, Madonna swooped in front of her and then all the photographers swooped after Madonna. The show was good, great jackets. Good ideas. Everybody was in the show-Joey Arias and John s.e.x and the girl with the shape, Dianne Brill, and Teresa Scharf. Madonna had on Martin Burgoyne's denim jacket. And then as we were leaving Chris Makos shoved some nuns at me for a picture and then somebody else started to take the picture and he screamed at the guy, "It's my picture, I set it up!" They were from St. Vincent's, the benefit was for them.
Howard Read from the Robert Miller Gallery was there and he'd just been at the auction where Jasper Johns's painting went for $3.3 million! Which is $3.6 with tax and commission and stuff. So it's the highest price ever paid for a painting of a living artist. And it wasn't even that great a painting, there were better ones. It wasn't a Target or-it was maybe the Numbers. I had Dollar Bills in this sale and it went for $385,000, and a Mona Lisa went for $70,000.
Wilfredo and Paige dropped me (cab $6). I got home and watched the channel 4 news rerun with Sue Simmons talking about me being at Barneys. G.o.d, she's a beauty. I met her once at some dinner at the Plaza and she was eating really greasy food, a lot of it.
Wednesday, November 12, 1986 The art auctions were still going on. A Rosenquist went for $2 million. A drawing of Jasper's went for $800,000. A drawing! But Rauschenberg's drawing went for only $90,000. And I guess David Whitney must be a multimillionaire, he has so many Jasper Johnses.
Thursday, November 13, 1986 Fred said that Nell is going to be on the cover of Vanity Fair Vanity Fair and here we are with all the wornouts-Cybill Shepherd, Diane Keaton.... People do like the Cybill Shepherd interview though -they say she's really honest in it. I haven't read it yet. and here we are with all the wornouts-Cybill Shepherd, Diane Keaton.... People do like the Cybill Shepherd interview though -they say she's really honest in it. I haven't read it yet.
Friday, November 14, 1986 Julian Schnabel came by with his little girl. We're talking about me maybe doing some different image on top of a fake of mine that he bought-one of those paintings I think Gerard Malanga did. Julian didn't know it was a fake when he bought it.
Mr. Murjani called and invited me to dinner and I asked if I could bring Benjamin and he said why didn't I bring Paige, too. So Stuart picked us up and we went to Murjani's place at U.N. Plaza. And when I walked in I immediately saw this box with a microphone on top and recognized it right away because it was the kind Imelda Marcos took on the Forbes boat and sang with, and then Mr. Murjani started playing it, and he sang "Feelings" with it. It's the box that enhances your voice and you pick from a few songs and then it's a whole orchestra playing behind you. And he has a really good voice, it was like that Indian teenage idol from the sixties, Sajid Khan, or something. and then Stuart did it and it was fun, Stuart can make himself sound like any Broadway star.
Then Mr. Murjani took us to this place that I guess he goes to regularly to meet girls. It was on 77th and Second, I think. And at dinner there was this table of girls next to us and Mr. Murjani and Stuart went over and tried to pick them up. The girls were in their early twenties, and they were going on to a party at the Union Club. And Mr. Murjani told Paige that the other night at the dinner that he'd he'd invited invited them them to, Gael thought it was one of Paige's dinners so she said to him, "Well since we're entertaining you so lavishly with all these dinners, how about advertising?" I don't know about Gael, is she stupid or not? But then, it was memorable, he'll always remember it, so that's good. The food was just awful-spaghetti-it was uneatable. to, Gael thought it was one of Paige's dinners so she said to him, "Well since we're entertaining you so lavishly with all these dinners, how about advertising?" I don't know about Gael, is she stupid or not? But then, it was memorable, he'll always remember it, so that's good. The food was just awful-spaghetti-it was uneatable.
Katharine Hamnett was working with Vincent till really late on the video but then she came to dinner, too, and she was sweet. But the odd thing was, there was this boy with her who just stood behind her chair and didn't eat, and there was an empty chair beside her and everything. Finally I said, "Well, uh, wouldn't he like to sit down?" And she said, "What? Oh yes, sit down." It was her a.s.sistant. He must have been starving.
Then Murjani and Stuart dropped me and Paige off and then they went to the Union Club to try to get in and find those girls but then they didn't get in because it was black tie and they couldn't remember what the girls looked like.
Sat.u.r.day, November 15, 1986 Went to Saks and there was a big crowd for the Swatch event. Keith and I did our autographing act together.
Stuart picked me up and Michael Jackson was staying across the street at the Helmsley Palace and we went to a gallery near there to look at Bouguereaus. Stuart's going to try to see him this time. The last time he blew it. Michael Jackson was coming to his apartment at 3:30 but Stuart got home after after 3:30 so he missed him. But now Michael is in town again and he's wearing a brown wig and dark gla.s.ses, and a white gas mask, so if you see 3:30 so he missed him. But now Michael is in town again and he's wearing a brown wig and dark gla.s.ses, and a white gas mask, so if you see that that coming down the street... coming down the street...
Sunday, November 16, 1986 Bruno called and invited me to lunch. Went to church, then cabbed to Harry Cipriani's in the Sherry ($4). The food tastes like it's done in a microwave, and I bet it is.
Wilfredo called, he'd been to see The Mission see The Mission for the third time. Isn't that weird? He wanted to be a Jesuit priest once. for the third time. Isn't that weird? He wanted to be a Jesuit priest once.
Tuesday, November 18, 1986 Stuart was picking me up at my house, so I waited for him inside the door. And now we have a video camera to see outside and I could see a man trying to get in the door with keys and everything and it looked just like Stuart, somehow. It had his att.i.tude. But then it wasn't wasn't Stuart and he was Stuart and he was still still trying to use a key to get in. I decided to open the door and see who he was and so I did and I think he was drunk or something. He asked for the lady of the house a few times and I kept telling him that trying to use a key to get in. I decided to open the door and see who he was and so I did and I think he was drunk or something. He asked for the lady of the house a few times and I kept telling him that I I was the lady of the house. And then I went back inside and the phone rang and it was Stuart to tell me that there was a man on my doorstep trying to get in and I told him I knew, and then Stuart came to pick me up again, and I went out to the car and past the man who was still there and I got into the limo and Stuart was crying. Literally crying. The tears were streaming down his face. It was shocking, just absolutely shocking. I said, "It was so odd, I thought he was you at first." And Stuart was sobbing, saying what if it was the lady of the house. And then I went back inside and the phone rang and it was Stuart to tell me that there was a man on my doorstep trying to get in and I told him I knew, and then Stuart came to pick me up again, and I went out to the car and past the man who was still there and I got into the limo and Stuart was crying. Literally crying. The tears were streaming down his face. It was shocking, just absolutely shocking. I said, "It was so odd, I thought he was you at first." And Stuart was sobbing, saying what if it were were him and how could I just him and how could I just leave leave him there? And I said, "Well, I think he's drunk and what can I do anyway?" So he said to take him somewhere, put him in a cab and get him where he was going, but how could you him there? And I said, "Well, I think he's drunk and what can I do anyway?" So he said to take him somewhere, put him in a cab and get him where he was going, but how could you know know where he was going? So I borrowed $20 from Stuart and gave it to a cabdriver to take him where he was going, but he probably just dumped him in another neighborhood. But he was well-dressed. Like a Spanish man in cream-colored Spanish boots and kind of natty. By the way, Michael Jackson never did show up, he called and cancelled right before he was supposed to be there. where he was going? So I borrowed $20 from Stuart and gave it to a cabdriver to take him where he was going, but he probably just dumped him in another neighborhood. But he was well-dressed. Like a Spanish man in cream-colored Spanish boots and kind of natty. By the way, Michael Jackson never did show up, he called and cancelled right before he was supposed to be there.
Thursday, November 20, 1986 At the end of work it was pouring so hard. Paige called and said that Steven Greenberg would take us to Missoni in his car and we got there late, and I think it's actually the best time to arrive someplace, really late, after everybody's resistance is worn down and they're tired, and then you hit them for an ad. It's like in the fifties when I had to go around and see art directors looking for jobs. If you went early in the morning you never got anything, so I'd wait till 12;00, lunchtime, because by then they had stopped getting calls and they were tired and you had a better chance. People really do stop calling offices at lunchtime because they a.s.sume the people will be out.
So we went to the Missoni thing and then went to Le Cirque. Gael was there having dinner with Steven's friend, Mr. Mulane, the Bally Casino guy. He's really nice, he knows everybody.
It was pouring rain. Got home and turned on TV and saw that John Tesh, our old friend who used to be on the news here, is the new main guy on Entertainment Tonight Entertainment Tonight with Mary Hart. with Mary Hart.
Friday, November 21, 1986 Sam just ran out at 5:00 and didn't arrange for Fred to get home from the hospital from his five-hour knee operation. He'd gone in at 8:15 that morning. And when I got home he called and said he'd just gotten home by himself, that he'd been in the waiting room until noon, and he was kind of high. He said he thought he'd "joked with" the doctor while he was under anesthesia, and oh G.o.d, I can just imagine what he said. Fred really could be bad under those circ.u.mstances. And I complained a lot to Fred about my personal life which I shouldn't do. I should just always say everything's cool. He told me that I shouldn't get involved with these kids' personal lives, like Sam's and Len's, because it's none of my business. And he's right. I was going to scream at Len for not telling me the truth about Sam spending the night a few weeks ago at Jill's boyfriend's apartment-but then it's none of my business. And then I guess Sam got involved with Victor the other night because Victor called and said, "I have someone you know very well here..." and I couldn't imagine, and he said, "The blond boy who works for you... Sam." And that stunned me.
Sat.u.r.day, November 22, 1986 I watched Young Bobby Kennedy Young Bobby Kennedy, a doc.u.mentary, in the morning. They put it on because it was the JFK death anniversary, I guess.
I'm always surprised that one of the Kennedy kids wouldn't want to know what really happened, who really killed JFK and Bobby Kennedy. You'd think Caroline would get interested and say, "I don't care if I get killed, I want to know."
Went to Doyle's and then to Sotheby's and got catalogues (cabs $4, $5). This is right before they closed. And they told me there that I'd just done very well. The Soup number two went pretty high at $6,600. I forgot we'd sent Jay to bid on Ladies and Gentlemen, a set of those, and some Flowers. Jasper's Numbers set went for $140,000.
There was a dinner at 7:30 at River House and Paige said she'd pick me up. She arrived and had a basket on her head with flowers on it. It was left over from the photo session for Tama's book, A Cannibal in Manhattan Cannibal in Manhattan, that they'd done that afternoon at Tavern on the Green. Paige is art-directing the book, setting up the photos in it. Stuart had told me how beautiful the "hat" looked, but it was just-ridiculous. She'd had on a silver outfit, but for the dinner she changed into a black Gaultier but kept the hat on. The dinner was for Francesco Clemente, it was given by the Angela West.w.a.ter lady who has the Sperone West.w.a.ter Gallery, and the first person whose hand I shake turns out to be Alan Wanzenberg-I didn't recognize him right away. And then I realized Jed was right across from me. Then Edit deAk came over and told Paige and me, "Oh, the two of you should be married." A Tama-type line. I made a faux pas faux pas, I said to Alba Clemente, "Is Bianca coming?" I forgot that Bianca had had an affair with Clemente. She said, "No. She's not a friend of mine." And Thomas Ammann said Mary Boone wants to represent me and that I should think about it. Keith and his friend Juan were there. And then about thirty-five people were going down to Nell's. I didn't want to go and Paige did so I told her to go ahead but she insisted on dropping me off-I can just feel feel all the weird problems starting again. all the weird problems starting again.
When we got to my house, Paige's flowers had fallen out so she was going home with an empty basket on her head.
Tuesday, November 25, 1986 The second day of the auctions at Sotheby's-Renaissance. Was picked up by Benjamin. Stuart arrived late and looked like Dracula. We lost out on everything, which was fun-it was all learning and seeing and touching and feeling, and it didn't cost a penny. Left there and walked for a while.
Oh, and Stuart told me I'm the only one who talks to all the black guys who work at the auction houses, asking them what they think of the things, (laughs) (laughs) Went back to the office and worked from 6-9:00 and everybody else was working late, too. Fred's walking with a cane. Then invited Paige and Rupert to Nippon. It's nice not to have Sam to worry about anymore. Since I found out he has a secret life and sleeps out a lot, I don't feel responsible for him.
Thursday, November 27, 1986 Thanksgiving. The phone rang and it was Wilfredo saying he couldn't come with us to feed the poor, that he was going home to New Jersey. Paige called and said she'd pick me up in ten minutes, but it was half an hour before she and Tama and Stephen Sprouse arrived.
Victor had called in the meantime and I invited him to feed the poor with us. I don't know if he's on drugs or if now he's just always paranoid.
So we went to the Church of the Heavenly Rest on Fifth Avenue and 90th, and the good-looking priest had moved to St. Thomas's, that big chic church. And it looked overstaffed-like they had one volunteer for every eater. Everybody had their own waiter. So we went upstairs and there was this big d.y.k.ey Irish woman giving the helpers their a.s.signments and she said, "Are you here for food?" And Victor got offended and that started him off insulting people in the line, saying, "Just eat fast and f.u.c.k off and get out so we can clean up." This is in a church! church! And finally I told him, "Victor, we're here because And finally I told him, "Victor, we're here because we want we want to be." And there were a lot of photographers, I don't know if they were from the newspapers or what. So this d.y.k.ey lady says to me, "I'm putting you on security, to keep people in order." And I said, "I can't do a thing like that." And she said, "Well that's what you're going to do." And I said, "No, I'm not." So I ignored her and we served the food, and it's such a great church, there was food for people to take home, too, and I was giving everybody a lot. If there's this many hungry people there's really something wrong. A lot of people looked like they just came for a meal so they wouldn't be to be." And there were a lot of photographers, I don't know if they were from the newspapers or what. So this d.y.k.ey lady says to me, "I'm putting you on security, to keep people in order." And I said, "I can't do a thing like that." And she said, "Well that's what you're going to do." And I said, "No, I'm not." So I ignored her and we served the food, and it's such a great church, there was food for people to take home, too, and I was giving everybody a lot. If there's this many hungry people there's really something wrong. A lot of people looked like they just came for a meal so they wouldn't be lonely lonely, though. Maybe they even lived on Park Avenue, you can't tell.