Dietrich says he got into Studio 54 at its opening. That was the elite disco of the late 1970s, which catered to the famous and beautiful. Customers flocked to the entrance every night. Bouncers would only admit people who were considered adequately attractive.
The breakdown of Mr. Baskin, the air traffic controller, presaged a nationwide strike by members of that profession, two years later. The strike failed. Many air traffic controllers never worked in that field again.