Summary

The structure of Chapter 28 is different from the other chapters. A paragraph describes what each character is doing at the same moment in time. Miriam is yelling (though in reality just whispering more loudly than usual) at Eric Delaney, unable to believe that he is alive. Ralph is listening to her, wondering who could make her "whisper louder than usual" (237). Each character's most secret or most mundane activities is described, as if we catch a glimpse of the same moment across time.

The section continues with Ralph leaving Miriam to be alone. He goes to a bar, where a call girl, whom he proceeds to offend, hits him on. Then, he decides to call Sadie. She is out with Alison Grabowski and tells him so. Ralph decides that if Sadie can play "Win Back an Old Flame" (245), then so can he. He contacts...