Part 1: Chapter 6 Summary

At an alcohol-fueled lunch, Maureen Grube tells her life story and sheds a few tears. She tells Frank of her early marriage at age eighteen because she couldn't stand her last name, that the marriage was soon annulled, then tells about the dead-end depressing job in her small hometown, and finally her escape to New York City so she could experience "life". Frank notes what he sees as affectations on her part, probably picked up from Norma, her older roommate who is twice divorced and more worldly-wise. As the alcohol flows, Maureen's affections and spirits seem to flag until the food is brought to their table; afterwards, her emotions seem like putty in Frank's hands.

He tells her stories about himself calculated to present an image of himself as a good and promising young family man, cast into a frustrating and...