Mash Notes and Comments

"Dec. 22, 1959  
    "to Paul Coats,

    "Paul I am enclosing a sixty dollar money order I wrote out to myself which I want you to hold for me.  My old girl friend of 20 years ago gave it to me toward getting my book published.

    "She said Parkey, get that book in print and you might be a rich man.

    "She gave me seventy five dollars cash but I kept $15 for expences.

    "If I keep the sixty Paul it will burn a hole in my pocket.  Please hold it until I am ready to get my book published.

    "You don't have to donate anything to it but if I can raise $85 more I can make a deal with a printer on the Pennisula up here.  I will try and tap the Perfesser if his wife isn't around.

    "Hold my sixty dollars, Paul.  Don't let go of it until I am ready to publish my book.  You know what will happen if I get a hold of it before I am ready to publish my book.

     "P.S. Paul don't let me down!"

(signed) Parkey Sharkey, 2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

    –-Okay.

  
    "Paul did you get my money order for sixty dollars???
   
"Hang on to it, keep it in a safe place.  I just need $85 more and I will finally become a author.

    "Paul if I get drunk and call you up for the money don't listen to me.  This is my big change.
    I hope it got to you all right Paul and take care of it." 

(signed) Parkey Sharkey, 2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

    –Okay.

  
    "to Paul,
   
"Don't lose my sixty bucks Paul hang on to it for me.

    "When I get my book published you can put me on your TV program and I can tell about how many years I took to write it and get it published.

    "Remember Paul, if I ask you for the sixty bucks before I am ready to get my book published, don't send it to me.

    "Hang on to it."

(signed) Parkey Sharkey, 2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

    –-Okay.

  
    "to Paul Coats,
   
"Paul I haven't heard from you about my sixty bucks, I hope you have it in a safe place.

    "I will make a deal with the publisher this week.  My book will be a dollar a copy and should sell like hot cakes Paul.

    "Things are really looking good for me now.  Pretty soon I will be a author.

    ""Paul don't lose my sixty bucks or everything will fall through.

    "Don't forget, if I get loaded on beer and ask for the money don't you send it to me.  Guard it with your life." 

(signed)  Parkey Sharkey.  2077 Bay Road, East Palo Alto.

    –Okay.

    (Collect telegram) "PALO ALTO CALIF 29 DEC 59 10:56 AMP
   
"PAUL COATS SEND ME MY MONEY ORDER $60.00 RIGHT AWAY.  IMPORTANT.  I HAVE  A TRAFFIC TICKET TO PAY OFF."

(signed)  PARKEY SHARKEY.

    –Okay, Parkey.