Summary

Still at the hotel, Charlie struggles to sleep. He watches the same Western that Alberta is watching and thinks about why Alberta would want to see Lionel. Charlie rationalizes Alberta’s interest in Lionel as pity for his helplessness and reflects over his own problems with Alberta.

The narrator gives more details on Charlie’s adolescence. Charlie’s mother died when he was 15 and his father worked for the tribal band council when he moved back to the reservation. After Charlie’s mother died, Portland took Charlie on an impromptu road trip to Hollywood. Portland spent the trip reminiscing about his acting days with old actor friends but could not land an acting job. Charlie got a valet job at a steakhouse and Portland worked as a costumed burlesque dancer. Charlie left at the end of the summer and his father...