Chapters 56 through 65 Summary

"At the fat farm" Reflecting on how fed up she is with her life, DeDe checks in to the fat farm for her "$2500 transformation" and readies herself for her weigh-in.

"Michael's shocker" Out for lunch at a hotdog stand with Mona, Michael reveals his plan to earn some cash - entering an underwear dance contest at a local nightclub. Meanwhile, Edgar arranges to meet Beauchamp later that day, at which time he is going to reveal something "in strictest confidence" ...

"The family myth" After meeting Beauchamp, Edgar meets Mrs. Madrigal at a hotel. After making love, Mrs. Madrigal tells Edgar the mythic story of the name "halcyon" (see "Objects/Places"). Edgar comments that his father must have had more imagination than he thought - the family name was changed from Halstein.

"DeDe triumphs" At the end of two weeks at the...