Book I, Part II - Desolation in the World: Chapters 83 - 85 Summary

The poets go to Simon's house where his little brother, Lazarus, is frying potatoes. Kerouac relays how Simon saved Lazarus from their mother and brothers who are mentally unstable and constantly in and out of mental institutions. Simon realizes that taking care of Lazarus is beyond his means, both physically and mentally but sending the little brother back to New York would be tragic.

Simon is annoyed that Lazarus forgot to go to the store and the brothers make a great production out of making a grocery list. Lazarus wanders off and is not seen for hours as he was "looking at pitchers".

One of the established poets has taken it upon himself to speak to a New York publisher on behalf of...