This is an American version of British novels that were later made into a Brit-com called Darling Buds of May (starring David Jason and Catherine Zeta-Jones). The TV series was set in late 1950s Kent. In the original there was no lack of cash. It was the free-floating cash that got up the nose of the Inland Revenue (like the IRS). Pop Larkin (names were mostly unchanged) was always buying and selling, paid cash for everything. It would be possible today - ebay, auction sellers, yard buyers and sellers alike are "under the radar". They weren't living cashless, just creditless. Drinking was actually played down in the American version. The most unbelievable part of the British series was the non-stop imbibing, with contests to come up with the most potent drinks, yet no one got drunk - except Charley, the revenuer.
Review of The Mating Game
