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[sleepall_day]

I'm sorry to have to ask such a retarded question, but... can anyone tell me why No Coins, Please is supposed to take place in 2004? Or maybe I'm reading a really whacked-out ebook version. I have as many of the hard copies of his books as I could find, but I couldn't find all of them so I'm reading some ebook versions while I hunt around for some

Comments

[rogue_crocodile]

Sounds like a really whacked-out ebook version... or perhaps an ebook version of one of his updated works. I know that when some of his books were re-printed details were updated for the current market. Crazy I think but who knows what goes through some peoples heads. I think it was actually 1984 but if you tell me approximately where in the story the date is mentioned I'll check my copy and let you know what it says.

[sleepall_day]

Gee, yeah. Maybe they did update it or something. Oh wait, didn't somebody here say something like, Rudy from "I Want To Go Home" was no longer listening to a Walkman, but a Discman, in an updated version? I seem to remember something like that, haha.

In the chapter where they're really lucky, and go eat at Patrick's for the 100th year anniversary, it says it's 2004. But now that you've reminded me that they do that updating thing, I'm positive it must not have been published that way originally. Thanks, hehe. I really want my own hard copy!

[rogue_crocodile]

My original hard copy was missing for years. A few weeks ago I moved house and I was sure it would turn up but it didn't. The same week I came across 2 different ebook sources of it and grabbed a copy. Just as I was finishing re-reading with much enjoyment a friend dropped around with a copy she'd found at a garage sale. Score!

So, I was right, it was set in 1984. The original text reads as follows:

Just in from the corner stood Patrick's diner. Underneath the sign was a huge banner which read:

75th Anniversary Celebration
12-1 Today Only 1909 Prices

Dennis checked his watch and smiled. "Far out! We're just in time. Good job, Nick. We're unbeatable today!"

The customers were being met at the door by Patrick himself, grandson of the original Patrick. Lunch for eight came to $2.19 with dessert, and Ambulance group walked out of the diner stuffed to the ears and sporting buttons which read:

Patrick's Diner_Diamond Jubilee
1909-1984
Steak 23 cents

[kitsunerei88]

Oh, they reprinted and updated No Coins Please at the time at they reprinted and updated Son of Interflux and a whole bunch of others. Including the McHall books. ^^ That's all.

[hanfastolfe]

That's actually really annoying, IMO, that they reprinted the books and updated the galleys for "modern times". Part of the charm of these books is the era in which they were printed, and "updating" them kind of ruins it.

[sleepall_day]

Yeah, I think so too - Losing Joe's Place & Semester in the Life are two of my top favorites, and they just feel so 80-90s :) I love it!

[hanfastolfe]

I like your icon. :)

[eaquaelegit]

This is why I only buy the books used. Stupid publishers.