Part 1, Summary

p. 36 - 62. Montag arrives home, stashing the concealed book under his pillow. As Mildred talks, he finds his attention drifting and realizes he has been weeping. He listens to her take more pills, realizing how her attention and feelings have been absorbed into the entertainment system in their parlor, and starts a conversation about Clarisse, saying he's been meaning to talk with Mildred about her for a while. Mildred tells him that she believes Clarisse was killed after being hit by a car a few days ago, and that the rest of the family has moved away. As Montag drifts off to sleep, he imagines the Mechanical Hound out looking for him.

The next morning, Montag tells Mildred to call Beatty and tell him he (Montag) is not coming in because he's sick, but Mildred refuses. Montag says that the burning the night...