Once upon a time it was possible to live in Manhattan inexpensively. It wasn't that long ago really. There were neighborhoods like the Lower East Side where artists, club kids, and squatters were still able to eke out livelihoods in the vibrant city that continues to attract newcomers from every corner of the globe. In his novel "The Future Won't Be Long" Jarett Kobek tells the tale of Baby, a gay youth from rural Wisconsin who came to the big city during the period of the 1980's to try to