Section 1 (through page 38) Summary

Harry and Christina Lutz argue in a hospital waiting room, waiting for her stepbrother, Oscar L. Crease, to return from physical therapy. Oscar has been run over by a car, Harry is due in court, and Christina is hounding him to show some concern for his brother-in-law. Harry has brought him a legal opinion to read and an ad for a new Civil War movie, but Christina says it is bad timing on both. Oscar's house is such a wreck no one will buy it. Young Lily, who is waiting for a messy divorce to go through so she can marry Oscar, will arrive any minute in a new BMW. Her family gives her no support, while Oscar puts off getting new teeth and tries to fund her lawyers. Oscar's house had belonged to his late mother. He fears...