Chapters 12 and 13 Summary

Pasternak calls Paul to say that Hart, Ed, and he are leaving for the West Coast that evening, which gives them time to get together once more. Paul, who has harbored a suspicion that Pasternak would leave without saying goodbye, agrees to meet early that evening. In the afternoon, Ketcham stops by Paul's place and they go to a bar, where they encounter Verger. He has seven empty glasses in front of him and looks terrible. Verger immediately asks if they have seen Agatson. He then tells them that May had never even kissed him, for fear that she would catch tuberculosis from him. It becomes apparent that he is besotted with May, who has abandoned him for Agatson. Eventually, the three go to Agatson's apartment. Agatson verbally abuses Verger fiercely, telling him to go away and stop coughing on everyone...