Chapter 8, An American Scholar, Chapter 9, Rumpelstiltskin, Chapter 10, Talking to a Grown Child Summary

Bootie is in the bathtub, reading, and contemplates his life with his mother Judy. He admires his Uncle Murray, and is in awe of him. Bootie believes himself to be capable of great works, but since eschewing the standard routine of attending university classes, he is not sure what to do next. After much contemplation, he decides to leave Watertown for Manhattan, by way of a friend's house in Massachusetts. Bootie believes that glamour and glory awaits him as Murray's shadow in Manhattan.

Julius is on his way to his most recent temporary staffing job. He allows Marina and Danielle to think he spends his time cruising for sex on the internet, or sitting around with friends—anything rather than...