Chapter 5 Summary

After reading about arrests in a nearby bar, Lana warns Darlene against talking with plainclothesmen. A customer in bowling shoes propositioned a woman there, but he escaped the melee. Darlene suggests it would be safer for business to let her dance on stage. Lana orders her to be quiet and forbids her to tell Jones there are police in the bar every night, lest he panic and quit. Darlene suggests an animal mascot like other clubs. Darlene has a smart cockatoo, which is part of her smashing dance act.

Jones, who has been kept out of the conversation, announces George's arrival, and Lana leads George out to the street, where it is safe to talk. She does not trust Jones, but cannot afford to replace him. George must limit his visits to the bar to the half-hour Jones is at lunch. He can...