Sue Armstrong's debut novel, ALLEYCAT, is a story about friendship, relationships, and love. Set in the winter and spring of 1971, the story takes place in Monmouth, Oregon, where six nineteen year old students meet on a cold January night. The Equal Rights Amendment was just a whisper and even the Viet Nam war barely touched their lives. A teachers school, Oregon College of Education was a small institution on a quiet campus in a dry town. Only a few students had cars; walking and hitchhiking were common. Telephones were a rarity. Dorms were gender-specific at OCE and visiting hours were strict--no men allowed after 11:00 and room doors had to be left open. At least as sophomores, the girls had some freedom from curfew if they lived in the dorm. ALLEYCAT is the story of Alex, Cal, Judy, Neil, Renee, and Savannah and the unlikely friendship they formed in a diner called Alleycat.