Part 1 Summary

Less Than Zero is the story of college-age people living in Los Angeles in the mid-1980's. As the story begins, Clay, the protagonist of the story, has just been picked up at the airport by his girlfriend, Blair. It is Christmas break, and Clay has been away at school in New Hampshire for 4 months for his freshman year in college. Clay focuses on a statement that Blair makes, "People are afraid to merge onto the freeway in Los Angeles."

Clay repeats the statement over and over in his head like some sort of mantra. Blair drops Clay off at his mother's house which is empty but smells like pine. The house is immaculate and Clay is alone except for the new cleaning woman whom Clay has never met. Apparently, Clay's mother and sisters are out Christmas shopping.

Clay tries to call his...