Episode Seven
Pete's letter to Perry Nelson:

Dear Mr. Nelson,

I just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed your most
recent book, Quartet.  I heard the interview you did on public
radio, and I think it's a great thing that you are speaking out
about the situation in Bellona, which I agree is criminal.  To
tell you the truth, I was a little surprised.  I have enjoyed all
three of your books, but their focus seems very inner-directed.  I
wonder if this means that your next book will be more global in
its concerns.

My main point though, is not about this.  I live in u-town, I've
lived here since right after it began.  As you are probably aware,
there is very little news coverage of what goes on here, and what
there has been is mostly sensationalism, with very little connection
to how most of us live.  We certainly have our share of artists,
intellectuals, criminals, homosexuals, drug users and lunatics,
and I've met a few who were all of the above and more.  But many
of us are trying to live productive lives, keep entertained, keep
thinking and exploring, learn about what it really means to live
with so few restrictions.  There are great freedoms, but also
great limitations.  For example, I have more freedom to speak my
mind than you do, but that's because there's much less chance
anybody (except for a few other odd-balls) will ever hear me.
And, of course, the police have all the same freedoms we have as
well.

I am in a rock and roll band.  I've enclosed a tape of two of our
better songs.  There's a possibility we'll be able to play a set
on the Friday after next (the 24th), at a bar called The Quarter.
I've enclosed a map, on the chance that you might like to come,
and in the process see for yourself how we really live.  I think
that it would be great if you wrote something about Bellona, but
also I think it would be great if you wrote something about u-town.

Frankly, I think the best possible idea would be to write about
both in the same book.


Sincerely,


Pete


P.S. Mail delivery where I live is almost non-existant, but I have
a job in a tea and coffee shop that's in the DMZ, so you could try
to write me there if you want.  I've drawn the map to The Quarter
on the back of an ad for the store.  The phone at the store works.




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