Summary

Chapter 5 finds Luce and Irene at home the following morning. Irene awakens to a discomfort in her pelvic region and tries to recollect previous night's events. Luce agrees to go to the 12-step meeting later, the two ride bikes to the motel where they recognize a woman they know from the meetings working as a housekeeper. She lets Irene and Luce onto the pool deck, but does not tell them the pool is empty. After a while, Luce goes to get them snacks from the vending machines, but when she does not return Irene goes to find her. When Irene flings open the bathroom door, a strange man runs out past her, and it is clear that Luce has just performed a sexual act with the man in exchange for drugs. Irene demands that Luce hand over whatever the man had given...