Book excerpt: A viciously cynical newspaper hack, Page toils at several small rags on Florida's gulf coast. His warped memory of literature, history, and quotes for every occasion--however inappropriate--allow him to write filler, win arguments, placate and enrage friends and enemies, and dissect his own blistering existence. With constant typing as both master and servant, he pecks endlessly at his collection of old typewriters, hilariously chronicling his sad past and humiliating present, his rage at God, and his hatred for the universe. Page left the wintry north after tragedy and divorce. Now he takes every ill-paying writing job he can scrounge, to save enough to flee the state and the foul regret that plagues his every waking moment. As he schemes and saves, he strips himself of all excess--his possessions and even unnecessary vocabulary--simplifying his life and preparing to escape the inescapable, himself. New love, new opportunities, and the dawning notion that a few people actually like him, conspire, forcing him to choose--eternally punish all things, including himself, or deal with his personal tragedies and return to the land of the living. Wake Me When I'm Over is the perfect blend of humor and personal misfortune.