Chapter 1 Summary

In late September 1955, Ray Smith, a beat writer with newly acquired fame, arrives in Los Angeles, California, fresh from a trip to Mexico. Ray sleeps on the beach and then hops a train, hobo-style, out of Los Angeles. Another hobo soon jumps on the same boxcar as Ray. Ray describes him as a little man, older, who is very quiet. At the next temporary stop, Ray leaves his meager belongings under the care of the little bum while he purchases some wine and then returns to the train. The two men share the wine and what food they have and talk for some time. Ray learns that the other bum is from Ohio and is an ex-railroad employee. He shows Ray a small clipping of a prayer by St. Theresa and tells Ray that he reads it every day. Ray then jumps off...