Summary

In Chapter 3, Fitzpatrick asks Victor what he is doing these days, noting that he has heard that “Books are fucked” (29). On their second visit, Fitzpatrick is wearing the same shorts. When Victor tells him that he is not working on anything now, Fitzpatrick tells Victor that he, Fitzpatrick, would be writing books all the time if he “had it in me” (29). At the same time, Victor can tell Fitzpatrick is proud that he does not read at all. Victor asks Fitzpatrick what he does, and he tells Victor he is currently unemployed, but used to be a “millionaire” builder (32).

A group of women come into the bar, and Fitzpatrick suggests that they both should make a move. He tells Victor he is lucky because he has a wife at home, but Victor does not respond. He wants to provoke Fitzpatrick, get into a...