Chapter 83 through 85 Summary

Henry gives a reading north of Los Angeles. He stays in a hotel in a room next door to William Burroughs. Some common acquaintances offer to introduce Henry to Burroughs but Henry declines. Burroughs, the king of beat literature, sits in his room and stares vacantly about. Henry sneaks in a look at the imposing hero of underground media and Burroughs looks right through him.

A few days go by. Henry has been corresponding with a woman named Liza Weston who lives in San Francisco. Liza, who runs a dance studio, is traveling to Los Angeles to buy some costumes. She arranges to stay at Henry's apartment. She arrives and Henry finds her attractive, particularly because she wears a full-length dress. They sit on the couch and have a remarkably lengthy and interesting discussion while drinking and kissing. That night Liza...