Pages 20-33 Summary

Bill, Herman, and Roy continuously make the rounds of doctors—Bill refers to them almost exclusively as croakers—soliciting prescriptions. Usually doctors are willing, at first, but quickly become resistant. Bill relates several experiences of wearing out the welcome of a physician. Meanwhile law enforcement begins to focus more attention on monitoring doctors and prosecuting drug users. All of this combines to give an ominous and threatening feel to the world of junkies. Herman is arrested and charged with giving the wrong address when filling a prescription—a common practice to avoid notice by the law. Bill sends Herman cigarette money. Bill is unable to obtain morphine and resorts to the unpleasant expedient of codeine injection into the skin.

Bill is arrested in his apartment and describes the arrest and the police interrogation tactics, noting that he is...