Chapter 6 Summary

At the Stage Coach Inn, Lute and Irma Fliegler enjoy the Christmas night dinner dance with their friends. Al Grecco watches from across the room. He is there to keep an eye on Ed Charney's girlfriend, Helene. Al knows all about every man in town. He knows who drinks too much, as well as who goes to the Dew Drop Inn to take a prostitute. Al knows that Lute does neither of these, and he begins to feel angry with Irma as he wonders whether she knows what a good man she has.

Al is mad at women in general right now, because he hates Helene. She knows that Al's there to watch her, and she's angry that Ed is at home with his wife. Helene is openly contemptuous of Al and says he ought to leave, but he would not dare without...