Summary

Chapter 11

This chapter solely revolves around Dennis, and his appearance on a haughty late night roundtable discussion show called Pipe Smoke, where distinguished men speak about the pressing issues of the day. The issue at hand: Barbara (and Jim), and the dumbing-down of television.

The main speaker is Vernon Whitfield, who represents the aristocracy and the old guard in the book. He also happens to be the man who stole Dennis' wife. He is an intellectual blowhard. The two men have an awkward conversation in the green room before going on air. Just before they sit down, Dennis whispers “I do wish you hadn't been sleeping with Edith.” After that, Whitfield's concentration is shattered. He can't argue cohesively. He loses words, which always had been his main weapon. It ends with him saying a four letter word live on the air, and he's...