Chapter 15

           Along66thehamburgerstands—Al&Susy’sPlace—Carl’sLunchJoe&Minnie—Will’sEats.Board-and-batshacks.Twogasolinepumpsinfront,ascreendoor,alongbar,stools,andafootrail.Nearthedoorthreeslotmachines,showingthroughglassthewealthinnickelsthreebarswillbring.Andbesidethem,thenickelphonographwithrecordspileduplikepies,readytoswingouttotheturntableandplaydancemusic,"Ti-pi-ti-pi-tin,"

           "ThanksfortheMemory,"BingCrosby,BennyGoodman.Atoneendofthecounteracoveredcase;candycoughdrops,caffeinesulphatecalledSleepless,No-Doze;candy,cigarettes,razorblades,aspirin,Bromo-Seltzer,Alka-Seltzer.Thewallsdecoratedwithposters,bathinggirls,blondeswithbigbreastsandslenderhipsandwaxenfaces,inwhitebathingsuits,andholdingabottleofCoca-Colaandsmiling—seewhatyougetwithaCoca-Cola.Longbar,andsalts,peppers,mustardpots,andpapernapkins.Beertapsbehindthecounter,andinbackthecoffeeurns,shinyandsteamingwithglassgaugesshowingthecoffeelevel.Andpiesinwirecagesandorangesinpyramidsoffour.AndlittlepilesofPostToasties,cornflakes,stackedupindesigns.

           Thesignsoncards,pickedoutwithshiningmica:PiesLikeMotherUsedtoMake.CreditMakesEnemies.Let’sBeFriends.LadiesMaySmokeButBeCarefulWhereYouLayYourButts.EatHereandKeepYourWifeforaPet.IITYWYBAD?

           Downatoneendthecookingplates,potsofstew,potatoes,potroast,roastbeef,grayroastporkwaitingtobesliced.