Chapters 8 and 9 Summary

In Chapter 8, Tony is instructed to come in last at the track meet. He decides to ignore the Caretaker's commands, and prepares for the race as usual. Neil is on the sidelines with a cooler of Tony's favorite beverage during track meets: small cartons of lemonade available only at drive-through dairies. Neil worries before Tony takes his first sip of lemonade that perhaps the drink has been laced with something, and he takes a sip him self. He says the lemonade tastes sour, but Tony laughs at him and gulps it down. He wonders whether he senses an after taste, but dismisses the idea as having been elicited by mere suggestion.

Tony assumes his position on the track for the quarter mile race. He is confident that he will defeat the strongest runner there, an undefeated black student from another high...