Chapters 86 through 90 Summary

One day, two young German girls stop by Henry's apartment. They introduce themselves as Hilda and Gertrude. Hilda is nineteen and thin; Gertrude is twenty-two and heavy. They both speak English and have both read Henry's poetry in German translation. They stay with Henry for a few days of hard drinking and group sex. On one of the days, Henry receives a mail delivery from a postal employee who looks into the filthy apartment, sees two young nearly naked girls, and is stunned at Henry's lifestyle. The girls then meet a man who offers to pay them a lot of money, probably a pornographic film producer, and they leave Henry's apartment.

A few days later Henry gives a successful reading at a local club. Afterwards he meets three women—Cassie, Debra, and Sara. Cassie is tall with exceptionally long blonde...