Chapter 9 Summary

Fred is still sitting at the News Store having coffee and reading the paper. He read the personals section and thought of placing his own ad but he doesn't have the courage to do more than just read The Investigator. "Since he was the son of a suicide, it was hardly surprising that his secret hankerings were embarrassing and small" (Chap. 9, p. 150). Fred is joined by his friend Harry Pena, and they spend a few minutes discussing the tabloid. Next Caroline Rosewater arrives. She needs money to have lunch with her friend, Amanita Buntline, a lesbian. Fred gives her the money and she leaves in Amaita's blue Mercedes.

Amanita's daughter Lila is in the News Store. She is thirteen years old and deals in smut and fireworks. After Harry leaves, Fred goes to the area where Lila is to look at the dirty...