<P> Literary scholars have interpreted this series of numbers as different Biblical references, as an underlining of Friend's sexual deviancy, or as a reference to the ages of Friend and his victims . </P> <P> The narrative has also been viewed as an allegory for initiation into sexual adulthood, an encounter with the devil, a critique of modern youth's obsession with sexual themes in popular music, or as a dream sequence . </P> <P> The story was loosely adapted into the 1985 film Smooth Talk, starring Laura Dern and Treat Williams . Oates has written an essay named "Smooth Talk: Short Story into Film" about the adaptation . </P> <P> The short story is the inspiration and basis for The Blood Brothers' song "The Salesman, Denver Max". </P>

Where have you gone where have you been