Chapter 1, Parts 1-11 Summary

A drunk convinces Henry Chinaski that anyone can be hired as a Post Office temp during Christmas, so he finds himself with a leather sack on his back, thinking he has found an easy job. Henry takes the exam and physical to become a substitute mail carrier, is assigned to West Avon Station and is issued a cap but no uniform. His own clothes are shabby because he and his "shackjob" Betty drink up all their money.

Henry then goes to Oakford Station under a bullneck "soup" (superintendent) called Jonstone. Henry alone is drunk as subs sit from 5 until 7 in the morning hoping a regular will call in sick. The Stone starts the subs late but expects them to be back on time. Once or twice a week they are stuck with impossible night pickups. Henry files a 30-page...