At one point Gaad jokes about the Russians copying the space shuttle. As it turned out they did just that. In 1988 the Buran made a successful launch and orbited the Earth twice before returning. It never flew again.
The Game of Life, also known simply as "Life", is a board game originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley. It was America's first popular parlor game, and simulates a person's travels through life, from college to retirement, with jobs, marriage, and possible children along the way. The modern version was originally published 100 years later, in 1960. It is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
The postcard shows the Jennings address is 9A Circle Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22040.
As he dines in a cafe, Fred Timbrook reads the January 18, 1982 issue of Time magazine.
Arkady's message to "The Centre" is dated January 25, 1982.