Written by Bruce Haack - undated, probably 1960's. no clue.

Flying from Rocky Mountain House to New York in the late 40's was a rough ride. The air ship had two propellers and was huge and not too pressurized. But it had a coctail lounge in the
basement - and - to my mystification - I walked down a few steps and spent 50 cents on a drink. I always went first class. That reduced my $60 to 55.50 - and two days after arrival I had to fork over
$25 to the Feds for a status change - and was of course not allowed a work permit for 6 months. And being a worthy lad - I telephoned the obvious YMCA for quarters - and found out a lot about New York from that phone call. No room. Unheard of. But they recommended the Hotel York - at which I took a room for 3$ per night.

The complications of mapmaking became automatic - as I eventually realized that there was a difference between uptown and downtown.
And a girl somewhat years earlier graduated from university of Alberta - Irene - answered the phone and suggested that we meet at a certain Howard Johnsons. Now I had read things -so when I
met her there I couldn't figure out why she laughed when I said or asked "Is this the Howard Johnsons?". She said it was one of many
and that I should see the village next night.

First place was Louies - where everybody went- I figured out that was why it was so crowded. Irene disappeared and next thing I knew a blond boy was asking your place or mine and I was a little shy about my hotel room so I had another beer. A few nights later this older guy - whose number I was given by somebody at the college back
home - kindly brought me back to the village with a goodly party of older folks - And I was duly asked on command performance to make out with his wife while he watched. I really had to take a leak in
the worst way and - head spinning with the new fangled New York booze - I eventually got out of the car in the middle of Manhattan and did. And so it went and I got a room in an apartment of Frau Mediam and she had TV - A Sweet lady - And I had never seen TV before.

I think by this time I was hustling peanuts for Planters - so lived on Chocolate Covered Peanuts. But a home-meal was best - so one night I took my yogurt out of Frau Median's refrigerator and it had a pool of liquid on top. So I poured the liguid into
the sink - Along with a sudden descent of all the yogurt in heaven. It never occured to me to steal food from Frau Median. The next day I was hungrier than ever.

By this time I had got to know Ted and somehow he was in my mind a lot. I joined him and a couple of other guys at a little eatery called "Winnies" - AND - The evening being cold - I had heavy
country thoughts and knew that two fried eggs and mashed potatoes would be my destiny. But I would order coffee because I only had a dime. And Ted quietly said "Have something - I'll buy" and my
pride kept up and hunger waged and I ordered two fried eggs and mashed potatoes - and that was my most memorable banquet. Somehow
I've owed Teddy that love feast for nearly quarter of a century.