Chapter 32 Prison

October 1981.

The economic recession that had dragged on from the oil crisis showed no signs of ending, unemployment rates climbed higher, the stock market continued its downward trajectory, and inflation was still rising.

Youths scattered their money, energy, and time on drugs, sex, movies, and music; the advent of MTV fused these elements together organically.

The UK band Duran Duran's song "girls on film" landed on the American market through MTV, with bold costumes and sexually suggestive moves in its video quickly sparking a trend; it was heavily requested on high-definition TV screens at nightclubs and televisions with Playboy's pay-per-view channels.

To survive, Gan's Restaurant kept up with the trends, installing a color television in the dining hall to attract younger customers. Almost every day, punk bands performed here, causing the restaurant's revenue to climb steadily. However, the condition of the restaurant's restrooms continued to deteriorate.