Manhattan Beach

[Penny Padgett Harper]

Hi all,

Long-time listener, occasional caller!

My brother Bob Padgett has lived in Manhattan Beach for lo these many years.
I forwarded to him some of the gossip about Pynchon's time there, and this
is his response:

>I lived across the street at 208-33rd
>Street I think his mind plays tricks with age, however.  Either that or he
>is using literary license.  I was stopped any number of times by cops in
>that era and was NEVER asked for my draft card.  I would have suggested that
>it was not their business if they DID ask.  Fractured cow and El Tarasco
>(The Galley) were haunts of ours, especially the latter.  The garbage
>burrito was more than you could eat for a couple of bucks.  Late night
>eating binges, unhealthy, but nobody cared in those days.  
>
>Also a question; why would Pynchon STAY in MB so many years if it was such a
>fascist environment?  
>
>Either Or was a fab bookstore, a little Powell's with cats roaming around.
>Closed a couple of years ago (sob!).  

He has also sent me a photo of himself and a buddy of his, hanging out on
Marine Drive near a funny old homemade camper that the buddy lived in, circa
1970.  Good local color, which I will forward to anyone who's interested.

Penny Padgett Harper