Chapter 17 Summary

David continues to write, taking refuge in the world he has created, since his own private life is increasingly chaotic. In the story, he is transformed into the main character, based on his own father. He is a man who treats evil as an old friend and never shows he has been wounded. In just a few hours, David has "lived two days and a night today." He locks the door and walks back to the bar in the hotel. David realizes he intended to ask his father's advice on his own domestic situation before they had parted. His father had the most disastrous personal life of anyone David has known and gave the best advice.

David is taking a shower when the girls return, and when he hears their voices he has a sudden bad feeling in the pit of his stomach...