Part I: Chapter 4 Summary

By the beginning of Chapter 4, Thompson's hallucinations have calmed somewhat. He is no longer in a state of total panic, but is reminded by his attorney that he narrowly avoided being arrested after yelling confusedly about reptiles in the hotel lobby. Once in their hotel room, Thompson tells his attorney that they must visit the Mint 400 racetrack before dark, but that they have the time to watch the news on television before they leave.

On television is news about the Laos invasions, which is too disturbing for the attorney to tolerate. They shut the television off and prepare to leave for the racetrack. The attorney falls into a drug coma while driving on Main Street and runs a red light. Thompson takes control and they continue on to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of Lieutenant Calley." At the...