East Main is a street in Norfolk, VA with many bars frequented by sailors, "a ghetto for Drunken Sailors nobody knew what to Do With. . ."(p. 10).
Specifically, Benny Profane visits the Sailor's Grave where he sees Beatrice(s) the
barmaid(s), Paola, and his former shipmates including Ploy, Pig Bodine, Pappy
Hod, and Dewey Gland. Mrs. Buffo plays It Came Upon a Midnight Clear on the boatswain's pipe.