Summary

Chapter 1. Jim Nolan checks out of the rooming house where he has been staying and walks to a shabby three-story building where Harry Nilson is going to interview him for membership in “the Party.” Impressed with Jim, Harry agrees to recommend him for Party membership.

Chapter 2. Harry turns Jim over to Mac McLeod to begin his new life as a Party member. Mac introduces Jim to Dick Halsing and Joy, two other Party members, and puts Jim to work immediately typing copies of a letter.

Mac explains the cause of Joy’s almost deranged behavior and tells Jim the others take care of Joy and try to keep him out of trouble. Jim and Mac talk about why Jim wanted to join the Party, and Jim expresses a desire to do field work and “get into the action” rather than just typing letters.

Analysis

Chapters...