Chapters 5-8 Summary

Chapter 5, "Firestone," details the professional life of the narrator who works at a gas station. The author cannot drive, which makes a service station a peculiar choice; however, the job was recommended by his pastor. The owner of the service station is Carlton Manning, a man that, according to the narrator, has inside information.

The narrator often takes the bus to work and has made many friends. The uniform impresses many people who act as if there is a doctor in the house. The narrator likes these friends and is willing to offer almost anything a friend needs from a comb to a dollar. The narrator does return the favor, however and gives his shoes to a woman whose son had his motorcycle vandalized. The woman is puzzled by the gift and has no idea what should be done with the...