Chapter 17, Skyscraper Summary

Jimmy walks through New York after quitting his job. His imagination creates surrealistic scenes as he feels excited in the spring day. One scene includes Ellen and a court that plays music on fantasy instruments, including a xylophone made up of bald heads. Another has his youth being deported. Jimmy realizes that his imagination must be expressed through writing.

Dutch and Francie converse in Central Park during a foggy evening. He has a pistol and is contemplating some sort of crime. Francie does not want him to be arrested and imprisoned, but Dutch feels that he will not be arrested.

Mrs. Cohen, Anna's mother, complains about how her children have turned out, which leads to an argument with Anna. She runs to her bedroom and cries. Anna then she puts on makeup and leaves the apartment. She encounters two friends who...