Chapter 1, Ferryslip Summary

Bud Korpenning asks how to navigate into New York City at a ferry slip and has breakfast at a nearby lunch wagon. Bud tells the server that he is from upstate New York and is looking for a job. The server advises that Bud needs to clean up if he expects to get a job.

Ed Thatcher visits the hospital where his wife Susie is delivering their first child, a girl. They decide to name the child Ellen after Ed's mother. Susie has a fit of doubt that the child the nurse brings into the room is actually Susie's. The nurse takes the situation in stride and advises Ed to leave Susie alone for the night. Ed meets a man with a heavy German accent on his way down the hospital stairs, and the two of them go out for drinks...