Book II, Part I - Passing Through Mexico: Chapters 12 - 17 Summary

Irwin scolds Duluoz for wasting all of his precious time in Mexico by sitting on the rooftop day and night, writing poetry. The men argue and in the end, Irwin wins out by goading Duluoz into a trip to Mexico University.

The tour of the University and the city are a success. The group goes back to the new apartment and Gaines joins them for dinner, wearing one of the famed stolen jackets. Lazarus falls ill and takes the suggestion to try morphine because it cures all ills. The drug works.

The group has its best day when they take a trip to the Pyramids of Teotihuacán. Everyone is interested in the tales of the fire worshipers and the many anthills surrounding the entrance...