Ms. Sanchez, the owner of the private investigation firm above Ristorante Pinocchio at the corner of Dundas and Islington, is real. So is the Pinocchio — although sadly, after more than 40 years of being in business, I understand it is closing its doors.
Her name wasn’t really Ms. Sanchez. I have no memory of her name, but while looking for work at one point in the ’70s I saw an ad in the paper asking for private eyes — with training provided. I checked it out, and whatever her name was, she really was very striking. If I’d owned a car at the time, my life may well have gone in a completely different direction.
The Lawn Darts Bowling Club, however, is entirely fictional. The publisher and ad manager, on the other hand, are very real — although they are portrayed here in a very kind light (and are not likely to make another appearance in this story).
The Ristorante Pinocchio at Dundas and Islington in Toronto. Above was the detective agency — home of “Ms. Sanchez’s” legs. (Image: Google Street View.)
Adramelech Defects 