He pictured both cities simultaneously, as though they hung on the extended arms of the orange clouds. Suspended. Tiny San Francisco dangling to the north: innocent, rich and a little bit silly. The sprawling, demented snake of L.A. to the south. Its fanged mouth wide open, eyes blazing, paralyzed in a lunge of pure paranoia. This was the place to be, he thought. Right here. In the middle. Smack in the belly of California where he could eyeball both from a distance. He could live inside the intestines of this valley while he spied on the brain and the genitals.
In the excerpt, the narrator envisions both San Francisco and Los Angeles as if they are suspended in the sky, represented by orange clouds. San Francisco appears as a small, innocent, and somewhat foolish city, while Los Angeles is depicted as a chaotic and paranoid entity, vividly portrayed with aggressive imagery. The contrast between the two cities highlights their distinct characteristics, with San Francisco being wealthy and naive, and Los Angeles portrayed as a wild, unpredictable force.
The narrator finds himself in a unique position, situated in the center of California, where he can observe both cities from a distance. This allows him to appreciate their differences while feeling grounded in a space where he can contemplate their identities. He imagines living in this valley, metaphorically describing it as the intestines, while keeping an eye on the intellectual and sensual aspects represented by the "brain and genitals." This imagery underscores a complex relationship with the landscape and its urban dynamics.
