Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary

It is unseasonably warm for March, and Jake is already uncomfortable with the heat. He doesn't look forward to the summer. He has an alcoholic gut and has to leave the waist of his pants undone. He knows that he should stop drinking, but the alcohol helps his constant headache. He's not sleeping well either. He's kept awake by thoughts of his days of fights with carnival goers, the other employees' taunts. He's also having violent dreams. In addition, he has finally met Simms, the man who writes the messages on the walls of buildings as if they are from God. His life is one big argument. Everybody is on his nerves except John Singer, who is a center of calm. Ironically, he lashes out on his next crusade one night when he is with Singer. Singer tells him about Willie's...