Chapters 5, 6 and 7 Summary

The Senator can hear Reverend Hickman speaking, but is too tired to acknowledge the old man. He lapses once more into memories of his life, this time as a young man with a failing career as a filmmaker.

The Senator (Bliss) remembers a young woman, named "Laly," whom he seduced on a picnic one Sunday afternoon while he and his film partners Donelson and Karp are making their way to California by defrauding citizens in small towns on the way. With the promise of a film role, Bliss sweet talks Laly into making love, as well as hosting fundraising events for the fraudulent movie. Other encounters in other towns are not as pleasant. Bliss and his partners are beaten by townspeople, who discover the fraud in time to recoup their losses.

Reverend Hickman still waits at Bliss' bedside, and finally the...