Section 15 and Section 16 Summary and Analysis

Section 15 begins on page 79 with the words, "I had gotten a bit drunk...." Bukowski and a friend, Jensen, go to see a famous writer, L., whom Bukowski finds dull. They arrive at his home, and Bukowski remarks that the man is clearly too wealthy to write about the tragedy of poverty. L. rants about the establishment while the Japanese servant is sent for drinks. The men talk briefly, and it is clear they do not like one another. They sit and drink, but when L. discusses translating Marlowe into Japanese, Bukowski mentions he thinks L. is pretentious. The men argue a bit, and L. falls asleep as Jensen and Bukowski leave. On the way out, Bukowski steals L's wallet only to find the Japanese man behind him. He nearly breaks Bukowski's arm before taking back the wallet...