Chapter 2, Cosgrove Summary

Pat Cosgrove is elated to finally be released from Sandstone State Reformatory due to a recent and unexpected sponsorship offer from Doc Luther, a complete stranger to Pat. Doc picks Pat up from the prison and drives him back toward Capital City. Pat describes Doc as about fifty years old, with thin sandy hair. Doc is overweight but not grossly obese, and has bulging eyes and wears thick spectacles. Doc has a soft voice and three of his upper front teeth slightly protrude, giving him the constant appearance of a hidden smile.

On the way to Capital City they stop at a roadhouse diner and each lunch. Pat notes that the roadhouse, formerly situated in apparently pristine natural surroundings, is now severely compromised by huge pools and rivulets of sludge that issue forth from a nearby oil refinery. Doc complains about...