Chapter 9 Summary

Quoyle makes his way to the harbormasters office. Diddy Shovel is his name and he watches Quoyle as he makes his way in the pouring rain from the parking lot to the office. His impression is of a large and clumsy man. Quoyle's impression of Shovel is an old, weathered man. The headline in his head is "Man Imitates Alligator."

Shovel tells Quoyle that he's been working on the water since age thirteen and is being forced to retire next year at the age of seventy. Quoyle points out a boat by the name of the Polar Grinder and asks about it. Shovel tells him the story of how that boat is the reason that Jack Buggit (Quoyle's boss), and his son Dennis (Quoyle's contractor), don't speak anymore. Coming from a family where most members have been claimed by the sea, Jack forbade...