Dawn Powell on Coby Gilman

From Dawn Powell’s diaries, two Coby Gilman anecdotes:

‘Sept. 29, 1938: Coby spent the evening at the Players Club drinking. I asked him if the members did much drinking and he said, well, yes but real drunkenness is frowned on, so everyone sits there frowning at each other.

‘October 28, 1939: “Coby, drunk, tie awry, coat half wrong-side out, hair tousled, inspires a “Good God!” from group. Why? He wants to know. “Go to a mirror,” they suggest. “Just take a look at yourself.” He shakes his head complacently. “I look alright,” he says. “My genitals are covered, aren’t they?”’