Chapter 5 Summary

Ned, Boon, and Lucius eat lunch following their conquering of Hell Creek bottom, and Lucius realizes as they pass Iron Bridge that they have come too far to turn back. In his mind, Virtue has given way to Non-virtue completely. As they drive toward Memphis, noting the change in landscape from rural to urban, Boon allows Lucius to drive. Still further along the road, they begin to pass other vehicles, and Lucius realizes there are no spaces between houses and shops, and that they have finally reached industrialized Memphis.

Boon tells Lucius they are staying at a "boarding house" of sorts, and that one of the ladies staying at the house has written Boon to tell him her nephew is visiting, who is near Lucius' own age. When Boon tells Ned the cook at the house can find somewhere for him to stay...