The story takes place in a crumbling, dangerous subsidized housing complex ironically named "Sea Oak" (which has neither sea nor oaks). Characters:
A meek, relentlessly optimistic woman who works at "Drugtown" for minimum wage and dies of fright during a home invasion. Sea Oak
A young man working as a male stripper at "Joysticks," a flight-themed strip club where he is constantly evaluated on his "spirit" and physique. The story takes place in a crumbling, dangerous
" Sea Oak " is a celebrated work of satirical fiction first published in The New Yorker in 1998 and later included in the collection Pastoralia . It is widely regarded as a pinnacle of American postmodern realism . " Sea Oak " is a celebrated work
After her funeral, Aunt Bernie returns from the dead. Unlike her previous submissive self, the resurrected Bernie is foul-mouthed and vengeful, demanding the family find "immoral" ways to make money so they can escape their poverty.