You know, I'm
sure I've met Manny in real life.
Not 100% sure, but something like 99.67548% sure.
And of course "Manny" isn't his real name.
Back in 1986-1991, I went to Boston once a year, to visit a college classmate and his wife; they had connections in the publishing business, and were convinced I had it in me to write something.
They introduced me to a lot of people--nobody big, but a few who were reasonably medium-sized in that industry.
(Nothing came of it, because I heard the socialist paradises beckoning and went there instead of staying home and writing anything.)
"Manny" wasn't in the business, but he was reasonably well-connected with so many people in Boston, and one couldn't avoid running into him, if one hung around long enough.
Now, my pal's politics of course are preposterous, ridiculous, nonsense, laughable, but at the same time, one rarely meets a person so.....well, personable, social, gregarious, charming.
The guy's such a good talker one could only stare open-mouthed in amazement, he's that good.
And it wasn't an act, his concern for others. It was real, his concern for others.
I was awed.
I told him that if he had half the money the Kennedys did, and ran against one of them for office, the Kennedy wouldn't get into double digits.
I remember Manny, but he probably wouldn't remember franksolich, because people probably tell him the same things every day.
