Chapter 1 Summary

Tommy Wilhelm, the protagonist in this story, believes that he is good at concealing his troubles. He had only been an extra; but even so, he believes he knows what acting is about. His appearance helps him conceal what's going on inside him-that is, when he's smoking a cigar and wearing a hat.

He lives on the 23rd floor of the Gloriana Hotel and has come down to collect his mail before breakfast. His father lives on the 14th floor, and his efforts at appearance are because of him. The people who live here are mostly retirees, Wilhelm Tommy, in his mid-40s, is out of place. We have a physical description of him here: large and blonde, big shoulders, already slightly stooped. He is out of work and his daily routine is to get up, shave, dress, come to the lobby and...