an interview between the author and one of his characters

HOLLYWOOD SINNERS in paperback by Peter Joseph Swanson.

From http://stonegarden.net/  in general fiction (though there’s nothing general about it)

(Interview with the author and one of his characters)

Peter:  Mama Gravy.  Mama Gravy, can you hear me?

Mama Gravy: I hate séances.  It’s SO rude to bother dead people.

Peter:  Well, the novel takes place in 1939.  So you’re dead now.  How else can I interview you.

Mama Gravy:  I’m horny.  Did you bring a pretty doll with you?

Peter:  Doll?  Barbie?

Mama Gravy:  Not kids toys!  Have you forgotten your 30s slang already?  Doll is a dame!  And I’m going to start calling you Dollface again because you gave me such a good part.  Although I’ll never forgive you for not giving me some blatant doll on doll action.

Peter:  We weren’t publishing in France.  How long did you run the brothel for, after the story is over? 

Mama Gravy:  The war years were good.  But after that, well, America went on a morality kick and the dance hall was put out of business.  It would have all fallen over anyway.  You know that.

Peter:  What did you do then to get by?

Mama Gravy: Well, you know, since nylon hose was invented the year of our novel, I thought about that.   So that’s what I went and did.  I punched my time card in a nylon factory and became a regular 9 to 5er.

Peter:  That don’t sound like you.

Mama Gravy:  Ha.  I joined a union and thought of myself as a Red.  You gotta do something in life to make yourself think that you’re special – a rebel.

Peter: Oh you’re special all right. I can’t believe what you did to all those gangsters in 1939.

Mama Gravy:  Yeah, but that was then.  1939 was such a year.  Not only for Hollywood but for everybody.  If I ran around doing that every year I’d be dead.  Wait a minute.  I damn died anyway.  Damn already!

Peter:  What year did you finally die?

Mama Gravy:  Dollface!  Don’t be rude.  I’m outta here.  Talking to you live people like this gives me cramps.  And it makes me SO horny for the dolls!

Peter:  Mama Gravy?  Hello?  Hello?