SF, Ep. 21

September 10, 2009—September's Literary Death Match SF marked was a night to remember at Elbo Room, as Tracy Clark-Flory—pitted against finalist Genie Gratto—took home the LDM crown in a ferociously heated game of Literary Beer Pong. 

See all the photos for this event!

Clark-Flory’s bold personal tale of discovering both her father’s internet porn and her own sexuality riveted the judges and audience. She was followed Litquake co-founder Jack Boulware, who gave a spirited, flawless delivery—his story also dabbled with porn—that of a quirky collector whose odd interests were intriguing, if not disturbing (a video depicting an unholy relation between chicken and farmer is all we’re legally allowed to write here).  Literary Merit judge Elissa Bassist, was enraptured by Clark-Flory's feminist literary muscle and recommended that Jack take a look at The Bell Jar if he and his oddball collector friend were ever interested in finding girlfriends. Kasper Hauser’s Dan Klein gave the sweetest, most genuine, heartfelt commentary of Performance we’ve heard all year (Paula Abdul x 10) and Stacey Lewis from City Lights drew genius one-line intangibles from fortune cookies. 

A contentious deliberation ensued, with the judges selecting Clark-Flory to advance as the night's first finalist.

The second round kicked off with Genie Gratto, who spun the crowd into a laughing tizzy over rectal bleeding. She was followed by Noria Joblanski read a delightful piece about one poor girl with no superpowers in a land of superheroes. The judges deliberated—certainly feeling they were comparing apples and oranges (though let those with rectal bleeding be considered heroes!)—but, in the end, Gratto moved on the next round.

For the finale, it was none other than a electrified game of beer pong.  Each of the two ladies threw rapid fire, while ping pong balls swerved, tapped against the table, bounced off rims, and then—suddenly—Clark-Flory landed one solid in Gratto's cup of beer to great applause (scoring her victory).  Co-Hosts Sean Finney and Sky Hornig placed the medal around Clark-Flory’s neck, making her San Francisco's 21st-ever champion, and all went home full of literary delight.