Chapter 3 Summary

Ignatius' only interview results in a closed valve. There are plenty of jobs available, Irene states, but Ignatius resents such optimism, doubtless derived from her Svengali, Mancuso. Ignatius sees humankind as destined to misery. Ignatius rejects a job requiring quiet, hard work, and another requiring a start time between 8 and 9 AM. Irene demands he answer the Levy Pants ad.

To get Mancuso to stop bothering his mother, Ignatius suggests he investigate the Night of Joy, where they fell prey to a B-girl and a Nazi. Mancuso takes the lead to his sergeant, but is dispatched to the streets disguised as a soldier, while detectives stake out the bar. The sergeant is determined that Mancuso get no credit for any arrests.

As he has for 20 years, Office Manager Gonzalez is first to arrive at Levy Pants. The owner, Gus Levy, rarely visits and is...