VLVL (6) Working for the Man

[Terrance]

jbor wrote:
> 
> It might be worthwhile considering the list Pynchon compiles of those
> "independent contractors" who, like both Frenesi and Zoyd, have been on the
> government payroll since the end of the '60s or so:
> 
>     There were Long Bihn Jail alumni, old grand-jury semipros,
>     collectors of loans and ladies on strings who'd been persuaded
>     to help entrap soon-to-be ex-customers, snitches with photographic
>     memories, virgins to the act of murder, check bouncers, coke
>     snorters and ass grabbers, each with more than ample reason to
>     seek the shadow of the federal wing, and some, with luck, able to
>     reach its embrace and shelter. (87.5)
> 
> "Long Binh Jail" evokes both the Vietnam War and LBJ, and perhaps "RC" or
> Blood. Frenesi is more or less one of those "ladies on strings", a "snitch"
> with a "photographic" specialty, if not memory. And, "virgins to the act of
> murder" is an echo of Zoyd's protestation of innocence back in Ch. 1 (and he
> is, as we've seen, a "check bouncer", which is the category immediately
> following).
> 
> I wonder what the implied author's attitude to this motley collection of
> thugs and thieves might be?


Another check. The novel opens when  Zoyd wakes up, he's been dreaming
about his disability check (backed by the full faith and credit of the
US government the check is treated like cash at a bank).  He gives the
store cashier a rubber check and then gives one to Moonpie. He gets cash
from Hobbes (we should look at Brecht's didactic theatre & Marcuse) and
goes to the bank.  He can't do business at the bank (I-24's business
plan, They will take the House ... etc.).  

Frenesi tries to cash  her check with  Barbie. 
Then at the store. 

Barb is her friend. 

Well, if it weren't for them crooks on Wall Street and those Bush-Reagan
supporters ....