Chapter 12 Summary

Kilgore and the driver arrive in Philadelphia on the day after Veterans Day. Kilgore muses that the world is exactly as it should be. Kilgore and the driver chat as they travel, talking about friends, sex, aluminum siding, and other painful minutia. Kilgore tells the driver that he has been married three times and has one adult son, whereabouts currently unknown.

Chapter 12 Analysis

Kilgore's road trip continues to Philadelphia. His intermittent discussion with the truck driver is humorous but also painfully boring. For example, the driver asks him to offer his opinion on aluminum siding versus concrete poured to mimic natural stone siding. Kilgore feigns partial interest as the miles roll by. The driver has the idea that he has no friends because he is always on the move and, therefore, he assures Kilgore that he, Kilgore, must have lots of friends because...