Chapter 2 Summary

Sonny next delivers butane to a ranch in Scotland, but nine dogs stand guarding the tank and barking. He waits in the truck for an hour, feeling a little depressed. Sonny doesn't get back to Thalia until almost 10 p.m., and he finds his boss, Frank Fartley, playing pool. Lester Marlowe is also there, losing to Abilene, as usual. Frank pays Sonny, and Sonny has Sam the Lion cash the check. Sonny crosses the road to the picture show and sits down next to Charlene and her sister Marlene. After the feature has been playing a few minutes, Charlene and Sonny get up and move to a back corner to hold hands and kiss, though Sonny's interest is muted because he wants to see the film. Sonny squirms against her, kissing passionately for a bit, because the movies are the only place Charlene's...