Book I, Chapters 1-2 Summary

Bunny Corcoran is dead. Richard Papen is in some way responsible.

John Richard Papen grew up in Plano, California, a drab town with flat land and little to do beyond working in his father's filling station. California bored Richard, and uncertain what he wanted to do with his life, he went to college to study pre-med. Richard's parents wanted their son to have a good, financially solid life but gave little regard to Richard's wants and needs. Eventually, Richard fell in love with literature and switched majors without telling his parents.

During this time, Richard spent a great deal of time and energy wandering aimlessly around town. It was clear that he needed to get out, and although Richard had expressed a desire to attend Hampden College in Vermont, Mr. Papen was not willing to sign financial...