NYRB at fifty

Celebration at Town Hall. Had read ever issue for the last thirty years. Even placed an anonymous ad (my colleague noticed the ad and immediately recognized me). Had to show up - anonymous, with wife. Doors opened half hour late. Standing, waiting to get in, there was nothing else to do but to observe the other people on line. These were my people - high brow and bold heads. Pretenders at intellectual life -by association, with subscriptions to a review that drops names. My wife remarked - The men are not well kept. These are not the manager type. Realizing I  might take bad the comment, she added. These are not salesmen either.