In the real El Monte, are there cock-fights?
I’m sure there are. Before town homes started going up, there were people with goats and roosters, little chicken coops. There’s a part in the book where the county comes and takes away the roosters. And that’s what happens in El Monte. The county would come and say, “Why do you have all this stuff in your front yard?” [laughs] and take it away. There’s a part of the book where Juan Meza and Satoru fight. It reminded me of a more modern day Ultimate Fighting Championship fight. You thought it was more UFC than WWF? Do you watch the UFC? There’s a big match coming up. I do, yes. I know Matt Hughes and Gracie. It’s new to me, but I’m very knowledgeable about arm bars and submission holds. We watch it on Spike. Right about the time I was reading this book I was getting very into the UFC. And the story of Juan and Satoru reminded me of it, but sans lettuce and animal crackers. I think I tried to keep it leaning toward Mexican wrestling, even some of the WWF moves. It’s like a soap opera, a
