1. Max's mother plays an important part in the story, even though she is never physically present. Trace her transformation from Sally Ghost to Sarah J. Malatesta.

2. Mama Rosita's fourteen-year-old son, Manuelo, steps in for the bedridden Woody and assumes responsibility for Ahmed; later, Max accuses Manuelo of cheating Woody out of his profits. Woody and Trina Rose have the same reaction to Max's story of his run-in with Manuelo. What is this reaction? How does Max feel?

3. Lilly's physical appearance changes at each convention she attends. How does she look at the travel agents' convention, the sorority convention, and the physical therapists' convention? Does her personality change as well? How?

4. How does Max see Woody at the beginning of his visit? At the end?

5. Max says, "I had never thought of myself as strange; I can honestly say that I...