Part 4 Summary

In a long speech, Astrakhan explains that he didn't set out to destroy Joseph's life. He only wanted to get into his extremely restricted writing class in order to meet a particular girl, and soon after getting in he met Joanne and began an affair with her. He also explains that to get into the class, a student had to submit a writing sample, and he admits that he submitted a very raw and very graphic piece of pornography written by someone else. He concludes by saying that the circumstances of his meeting Joseph are etched permanently into his memory. Each time he recalls them, new details emerge, and he says that it's funny how memory works. Throughout the speech, he refers to how honest he is.

The action shifts to Joseph's apartment, and as Astrakhan comes in and he and Joseph greet...