More Information: Neon Alley and Mimsy Hacks

He typed the last page of Boss late on a Saturday afternoon in 1970 in his office at the Daily News. Royko ended his book by quoting something Alderman Paddy Bauler had said in 1955, when Daley was first elected:

“Chicago ain’t ready for reform yet.” Royko’s conclusion: “And in 1970, like it or not, it wasn’t getting any.”

Royko pulled the page from the typewriter, put it under the others in the large stack, and walked to Riccardo’s, a restaurant and bar on Rush Street near the newspapers. The bar was quiet and Royko ordered a martini, not his usual drink of choice. This was, after all, quite a moment.

The bartender, who knew him, said, “What’s going on, Mike? Celebrating?”

“I guess so,” Royko said. “I just finished a book.”

“Yeah?” the bartender said. “Me, too.” He reached under the bar and handed Royko a paperback. “You can read it. It’s by Mickey Spillane.” — Doug Moe (The World of Mike Royko)