Have you heard of Painless Parker? A flamboyant dentist from a century ago, Parker flouted professional propriety.
Painless Parker's self-promotion helped bring some positive changes in professional practice.
In "Orange Claw Hammer," from Trout Mask Replica, he's a broken old sailor, Ahab himself as a bum in the alley, muttering about
Painless Parker and cherry phosphates, seeing a woman on the street, or every woman: "God before me if I'm not crazy is my daughter." He puts you on the street with him, watching the madman, wondering what you'd do, what you'd say, if you could say anything.