September 30
103rd Street

Mudda Dear,

In answer to your repeated queries, I am doing very well.

I have a new job that lacks the cachet of social worker, but it is lucrative and less emotionally taxing. I’m glad I switched. I’m a bartender now at The Gold Rail, which is a few steps from Columbia. I meet ‘many interesting people’ and get to listen in on, if not take part in, their conversations. Yesterday I served Allen Ginsberg a beer. You probably don’t know who he is. A very famous beatnik poet.

Oh, please stop worrying about me! I worry about you worrying about me, and that makes it into an infinity mirror. Remember the one I made in shop class in high school? I have three big boy roommates to protect me. Maynard Candy, Dick Grouse, and Johnny Madrid. They all want to meet you. I showed them your photograph and told them what a great dancer you are. I wish you could see my view. It is sunset right now. I wish it could be right now forever. The sky is red red red. There is a barge on the river. If I lean, I can see the tops of the heads of a large Hasidic family walking down below in Riverside Park. The sunlight is filtering down on their heads through the sycamore leaves.

And I do ‘have plans’. I plan to marry. The smartest fella I can find, preferably a Jew. Then I’ll live a life of unconventional mediocrity, here, where I may go unnoticed… But seriously, I have plans, but I think if I tell you it will jinx ‘em…

Please find enclosed the 75 dollars I owe you.

Give my unkind regards to your wretched husband Norman.

Love your dotta,
Vivvy

PS: And now I think to add: I LOVE NEW YORK. I AM IN LOVE WITH NEW YORK MOM!