Summary

Chapter 20 opens with an invitation by Truman to another party, entitled his “revenge ball” (402). It is 1980 and Truman finds himself with very little friends left. He decides that he wants to throw another party, this time one of “pure debauchery” with “no rules, no societal norms” (403). He wants to hire the Rolling Stones and have the theme of the party be Spanish, even considering having is guests fly to Andalusia, Spain. He says that while his last party was for his close, personal friends, this time the party will be one for the masses. However, just as he is planning for the party, someone else provides the party for him.

The space is called 54, and it is a “nightclub of the future” run by Steve Rubell. It is frequented by the “new society,” a crowd of “misfits, exhibitionists and balls-out whores” (404). Truman is...