Chapter 16 Summary

Sally is at lunch with Oliver St. Ives, St. Ives's assistant, and Walter Hardy. Oliver, a movie star and now a well-known gay activist, has asked Sally for her opinion on his new film idea about a gay action hero. She dissembles, waits for Walter to speak. Finally, Walter speaks supportively, while Sally tells Oliver she's unconvinced about the film. She looks around Oliver's apartment and wishes she didn't desire so much to impress him. She knows that in order to stay in his good graces all she had to do was support his movie idea, but part of her resents herself for wanting to be his friend only because he's a celebrity. At her continued lukewarm reaction to his idea, he utters a sigh. "This is a resigned and final sigh, running toward the nasal register, meaningful in its lack of drama...