Chapter 1, Meet Flick the Friendly Bartender Summary

The first chapter opens with a description of Ralph Parker's cab ride as he returns to his hometown of Hohman, Indiana. He describes the Midwestern town as a simple city filled with mills, plants and freight yards. According to Ralph, "social life is found in Bowling halls or Union halls or beer halls, not to mention dance halls and pool parlors." He describes Hohman's harsh winters and equally extreme summers. Ralph explains that Hohman is a place people never really come to, "but mostly want to leave." The cab driver immediately and correctly surmises that his passenger is from out of town. Ralph confirms that he now resides in New York, and the ride ends near Flick's Tavern.

The author enters the bar and orders a drink. His childhood friend, Flick, is tending...