on being a novelist
interview by OLIVIER ZAHM
OLIVIER ZAHM — How did you meet, you two?
JAY MCINERNEY — We met here, at Allard [Alain Ducasse’s restaurant in Paris]. Frédéric was interviewing me for some magazine. And then Frédéric said, “This restaurant sucks.” We had a long lunch — I think I missed my next interview.
FRÉDÉRIC BEIGBEDER — And now, every time I come to New York, I see Jay. He comes to stay at my place in Paris, and vice versa.
OLIVIER ZAHM — But you met before in New York, at The Beatrice Inn?
FRÉDÉRIC BEIGBEDER — Yes. Some time ago. And he broke his leg that night.
JAY MCINERNEY — It’s true! My ankle. I was walking home from the Beatrice, and I broke my ankle.
OLIVIER ZAHM — What happened?
JAY MCINERNEY — I don’t know.
FRÉDÉRIC BEIGBEDER — I am a bad influence….