Greaser! greaser Hey grease We're gonna do you a favor greaser. We're gonna cut all that long greasy hair off. Need a haircut greaser? No. How'd you like that haircut to begin just below the chin? Shut him up for Pete's sake shut him up! Are you all right Ponyboy? I'm okay. Quit shaking me Darry I'm okay. I'm sorry. They didn't hurt you too bad did they? I'm okay. You got cut up a little huh Ponyboy? I did? You're bleedin' like a stuck pig. I am? Look! Did they pull a blade on you? Yeah. Easy Ponyboy. They ain't gonna hurt you no more. I know I'm just a little spooked that's all. You're an okay kid Pony. You're crazy Soda out of your mind. You're both nuts. It seems to run in this family. Didya catch 'em? Nup. They got away this time the dirty... The kid's okay? I didn't know you were out of the cooler yet Dally. Good behavior. Got off early. Nice-lookin' bruise you got there kid. Really? Nice cut too. Makes you look tough. What were you doin' walkin' by your lonesome? I was comin' home from the movies. I didn't think... You don't ever think not at home or anywhere when it counts. You must think at school with all those good grades you bring home and you've always got your nose in a book but do you ever use your head for common sense? No sirree bub. And if you did have to go by yourself you should have carried a blade. When I want my kid brother to tell me what to do with my other kid brother I'll ask you-- kid brother. Next time get one of us to go with you Ponyboy Any of us will. Speakin' of movies I'm walkin' over to the Nightly Double tomorrow night. Anybody want to come and hunt some action? Me and Soda are pickin' up Evie and Sandy for the game. I'm working tomorrow night. How about y'all? Two-Bit? Johnnycake you and Pony wanta come? Me and Johnny'll come Okay Darry? Yeah since it ain't a school night. I was plannin' on getting boozed up tomorrow night If I don't I'll walk over and find y'all. You break up with Sylvia again? Yeah and this time it's for good. That little broad was two-timin' me again while I was in jail. Grease! They are right. You are a hood. Rub harder Soda You're gonna put me to sleep. You cold Ponyboy? A little Listen kiddo when Darry hollers at you... he don't mean nothin'. He's just got more worries than somebody his age ought to. Don't take him serious... you dig Pony? Don't let him bug you. He's really proud of you 'cause you're so brainy. It's just because you're the baby--- I mean he loves you a lot. Savvy? Sure Soda? Yeah? How come you dropped out? 'Cause I'm dumb. The only things I was passing anyway were auto mechanics and gym. You're not dumb. Yeah I am. Shut up and I'll tell you something. Don't tell Darry though. Okay. I think I'm gonna marry Sandy. After she gets out of school and I get a better job and everything. I might wait till you get out of school though. So I can still help Darry with the bills and stuff. Tuff enough. Wait till I get out though so you can keep Darry off my back. Don't be like that kid. I told you he don't mean half of what he says... You in love with Sandy? What's it like? Hhhmmm. It's real nice. Take your feet off my chair and shut your trap. Who's gonna make me? That's the greaser that jockeys for the Slash J sometime Greaser... greaser... greaser. I know you two. I've seen you around rodeos. It's a shame you can't ride bull half as good as you can talk it You two barrel race huh? You'd better leave us alone or I'll call the cops. Oh my my you've got me scared to death. You ought to see my record sometime baby. Guess what I've been in for? Please leave us alone Why don't you be nice and leave us alone? I'm never nice. Want a Coke? I wouldn't drink it if I was starving in the desert. Get lost hood! Are you going to start in on us? You don't look the type. What's your name? Ponyboy Curtis. You're kidding! That's your real name? That's an original and lovely name. My dad was an original person I've got a brother named Sodapop and it says so on his birth certificate. My name's Sherri but I'm called Cherry because of my hair. Cherry Valance. You're a cheerleader. We go to the same school. You don't look old enough to be going to high school I'm not. I got put up a year in grade school. What's a nice smart kid like you running around with trash like that for? I'm a grease same as Dally. He's my buddy. I'm sorry Ponyboy Your brother Sodapop does he work at a gasoline station? A DX I think? Man your brother is one doll. I might have guessed you were brothers--- you look alike. Didn't he used to ride in rodeos? Saddle bronc? Yeah. Dad made him quit after he tore a ligament though. We still hang around rodeos a lot. I've seen you two barrel race. You're good. Thanks How come we don't see your brother at school? He's not any older than sixteen or seventeen is he? He's a dropout Dropout Hi This might cool you off. That might cool you off greaser. After you wash your mouth and learn to talk and act decent I might cool off too. Fiery huh? Well that's the way I like 'em. Leave her alone Dally. Huh? Boo You heard me. Leave her alone. Thanks. He had me scared to death. You sure didn't show it. Nobody talks to Dally like that. From what I saw you do. Y'all sit up here with us. You can protect us. Okay might as well. How old are y'all? Fourteen Sixteen Marcia said How come y'all ain't scared of us like you were Dally? You two are too sweet to scare anyone. First of all you didn't join in Dallas's dirty talk and you made him leave us alone. Aid when we asked you to sit up here with us you didn't act like it was an invitation to make out for the night. Besides that I've heard about Dallas Winston and he looked as hard as nails and twice as tough. And you two don't look mean. we're young and innocent No not innocent. You've seen too much to be innocent. Just not... dirty. Dally's okay He's tough but he's a cool old guy. He'd leave you alone if he knew you Well I'm glad he doesn't know us. I kind of admire him I don't care if they did. It's not my idea of a good time to sit in a drive-in and watch people get drunk. Okay greasers you've had it Boo! Glory Two-Bit scare us to death! Hey Two-Bit. Sorry kid I forgot. Who's this your great-aunts? Great-grandmothers twice removed Shoot you're ninety-six if you're a day. I'm a night Brother you're a sharp one. Where'd you two ever get to be picked up by a couple of greasy hoods like Pony and Johnny? We really picked them up We're really Arabian slave traders and we're thinking about shanghaiing them. They're worth ten camels apiece at least. Five They don't talk Arabian I don't think. Say somethin' in Arabian Johnnycake. Aw cut it out! Dally was bothering them and when he left they wanted us to sit with them to protect them. Against wisecracking greasers like you probably. Hey where is of Dally anyways? He went hunting some action--- booze or dames or a fight. I hope he don't get jailed again. He just got out He'll probably find the fight That's why I came over. Mr. Timothy Shepard and Co. are looking for whoever so kindly slashed their car's tires and since Mr. Curly Shepard spotted Dallas doing it... well... Does Dally have a blade? Not that I know of I think he's got a piece of pipe but he busted his blade this morning. Good. Tim'll fight fair if Dally don't pull a blade on him. Dally shouldn't have any trouble. You don't believe in playing rough or anything do you? A fair fight isn't rough' Two-Bit said. Yeah boy real simple. If he gets killed or something you just bury him. No sweat You dig okay baby. Anyone want a weed? Ponyboy will you come with me to get some popcorn? Sure. Y'all want some? I do Me too Get Johnny some too. I'm buyin' Your friend--- the one with the sideburns--- he's okay? He ain't dangerous like Dallas if that's what you mean. He's okay. Johnny... he's been hurt bad sometime hasn't he? Hurt and scared. It was the Socs Looks like Johnny forgot his jacket Johnny? Hey Johnnycake. Yeah it's me Don't talk. You're gonna be okay. There was a whole bunch of them A blue Mustang full... I got so scared... It's okay Johnnycake they're gone now. It's okay. All Socs aren't like that You have to believe me Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that. That's like saying all you greasers are like Dallas Winston. I'll bet he's jumped a few people. I'll bet you think the Socs have it made. The rich kids the West- side Socs. I'll tell you something Ponyboy and it may come as a surprise. We have troubles you've never even heard of. You want to know something? Things are rough all over. I believe you We'd better get back out there with the popcorn or Two-Bit'll think I ran off with his money. It's not just money. Part of it is but not all. You greasers have a different set of values. You're more emotional. We're sophisticated--- cool to the point of not feeling anything. Nothing is real with us. You know sometimes I'll catch myself talking to a girl-friend and realize I don't mean half of what I'm saying. I don't really think a beer blast on the river bottom is super-cool but I'll rave about one to a girl-friend just to be saying something. I never told anyone that. I think you're the first person I've ever really gotten through to. Rat race is a perfect name for it We're always going and going and going and never asking where. Did you ever hear of having more than you wanted? So that you couldn't want anything else and then started looking for something else to want? It seems like we're always searching for something to satisfy us and never finding it. Maybe if we could lose our cool. we could. That's why we're separated It's not money it's feeling--- you don't feel anything and we feel too violently. And that's probably why we take turns getting our names in the paper. You must make such interestin' conversation you keepin' your mouth shut and Johnny not sayin' anything. There's my horse I've got me a ornery pony How come you're so mean Mickey Mouse? Does Soda still have him? He got sold They came and got him one day and took him off. He was a real valuable horse. Pure quarter. You read a lot don't you Ponyboy? Yeah. Why? I could just tell. I'll bet you watch sunsets too. I used to watch them too before I got so busy... Cherry look what's coming. What are we going to do? Stand here There isn't much else we can do. Who is it? The F.B.I.? it's Randy and Bob. And a few other of the socially elite checkered-shirt set Your boyfriends? Maybe they won't see us. Act normal. Who's acting? I'm a natural normal. Wish it was the other way around Don't get mouthy Ponyboy Tell me about your oldest brother. You don't talk much about him. What's to talk about? He's big and handsome and likes to play football. I mean what's he like? I feel like I know Soda from the way you talk about him tell me about Darry. Is he wild and reckless like Soda? Dreamy like you? He's... No... No Ponyboy that ain't right... you got it wrong... Gee I thought you and Darry and Soda got along real well... Well we don't An' you can shut your trap Johnny Cade 'cause we all know you ain't wanted at home either. And you can't blame them. Shut your mouth kid. If you wasn't Soda's kid brother I'd beat the tar out of you. You know better than to talk to Johnny like that. He didn't mean it Johnny. I'm sorry I was just mad. It's the truth I don't care. Shut up talkin' like that We couldn't get along without you so you can just shut up! It ain't fair! It ain't fair that we have all the rough breaks! the chips are always down when it's our turn but that's the way things are. Like it or lump it. they've spotted us. Cherry Marcia listen to us... ...just because we got a little drunk last time... The Outsiders S. E. HINTON __________ Chapter 1 WHEN I STEPPED OUT into the bright sunlight from darkness of movie house had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. was wishing looked like Newman--- he looks tough don't--- but guess own aren't so bad. have light-brown almost-red hair greenish-gray eyes. wish they were more gray because hate most guys that green eyes to be content with what have. My is longer than lot boys wear theirs squared off in back long at front sides am greaser neighborhood rarely bothers get haircut. Besides look better hair. walk home no company usually lone it anyway for reason except watch movies undisturbed can them live actors. When see someone it's kind uncomfortable having read your book over shoulder. I'm different way. mean second-oldest brother Soda who sixteen-going-on-seventeen never cracks all oldest Darrel we call Darry works too hard interested story or drawing picture not them. nobody our gang digs books way do. For while there thought person world did. So loned it. Soda tries understand least which Darry does. But then anybody understands everything almost. Like he's hollering me all time is treating as if six instead fourteen. love I've ever loved anyone even Mom Dad. He's always happy-go-lucky grinning Darry's firm grins all. gone through his twenty years grown up fast. Sodapop'll grow don't know way's best. I'll find out one these days. Anyway went walking home thinking about movie then suddenly some company. Greasers can't alone much they'll jumped will come by scream them doesn't make you feel hot mean. We jumped Socs. sure how spell it abbreviation Socials jet set West-side rich kids. It's term used class us East Side. We're poorer Socs middle class. reckon we're wilder too. Not Socs jump greasers wreck houses throw beer blasts kicks editorials paper being public disgrace day an asset society next. are almost hoods steal drive old souped-up cars hold gas stations fight once while. mean do that. would kill got trouble police. Since Dad killed auto wreck three stay together behave. can careful caught when can't. that just dress blue jeans T-shirts leave shirttails leather jackets tennis shoes boots. saying either orgreasers better that's are. could waited go until Sodapop work. They me driven walked along although sit still enough enjoy bore death. thinks life without inspecting other people's. Or gotten four consider family. close brothers tight-knit ours each real well. If called picked up Two-Bit Mathews--- gang--- car asked him sometimes use head. It drives brother nuts stuff 'cause supposed smart good grades high IQ walking. decided didn't much though spotted red Corvair trailing me. blocks started little faster. been seen Johnny after wasn't pretty. scared shadow sixteen then. knew any though--- fast walking mean--- before pulled beside five out. pretty scared--- small fourteen though build those bigger automatically hitched thumbs slouched wondering away made break remembered Johnny--- face cut bruised cried found half-conscious comer lot. awful rough home--- took him cry. sweating something fierce cold. palms getting clammy perspiration running down back. scared. glanced around pop bottle stick something--- Steve Randle Soda's best buddy held busted bottle--- there nothing. stood bump log surrounded slowly silently smiling. said over-friendly voice. He madras shirt. Blue madras. One laughed cussed low couldn't think anything say. There isn't whole say waiting mugged kept mouth shut. medium-sized blond knife pocket flipped blade open. finally backing knife. Of course backed right second. arms legs pinned sitting chest knees elbows hurts you're crazy. smell English Leather shaving lotion stale tobacco wondered foolishly suffocate did anything. bad would. fought loose second tightened slugged couple times. lay still swearing between gasps. A against throat. occurred wild. screaming anyone. Someone put hand mouth bit could tasting blood teeth. heard muttered curse again stuffing handkerchief mouth. saying Then shouts pounding feet left lying gasping. happening--- people jumping dazed figure under armpits hauling feet. Darry. shaking wished he'd stop. dizzy anyway. tell partly voice meaning be. stopped instantly. really. sorry seems funny should exactly father act opposite him. forty died twenty-five brothers son. alike--- anyone six-feet-two broad-shouldered muscular. has dark-brown kicks slight cowlick back--- Dad's--- eyes own. pieces pale blue-green ice. They've determined set rest older twenty--- tough cool smart. handsome weren't understand plain fact. uses sat rubbing cheek where I'd most. jammed fists pockets. smarting aching sore nervous hands wanted start bawling came loping By figured noise coming rescue dropped examining blankly. handkerchief wet end tongue pressed gently side showed reddened magic. voice: must slipped trying shut up. handsomer else know. Darry--- movie-star handsome stop street by. tall slimmer finely drawn sensitive somehow manages reckless thoughtful same time. dark-gold combs silky straight--- summer sun bleaches shining wheat gold. His dark brown--- lively dancing recklessly laughing gentle sympathetic moment blazing anger Dad's kind. drunk drag race dancing near alcohol. In rare kid drink touches drop--- need to. gets living. everybody. closely. hurriedly because want truth starting bawl. white felt leaf. said ground began blur hot tears cheeks. brushed impatiently. drew quivering breath quit crying. You cry unless hurt vacant Compared rubbed grin him--- matter what. grinning himself. knock heads together. merely cocked eyebrow trick Two-Bit. stared second cracked grin. afraid everyone enjoys teasing soon tease full-grown grizzly reason teased Soda. Our chased their heaved rocks toward now--- lean guys. nails l accepted younger good. Randle seventeen thick greasy combed complicated swirls. tacky smart buddy since grade school. Steve's specialty cars. lift hubcap quicker quietly neighborhood also upside-down backward wheels. worked station--- part full time--- station customers town. Whether attracted girls honey draws flies you. liked friend. me--- tag- along kid places taking girls bugged Steve. fault me ask kid. Mathews wisecracker bunch. feet tall stocky very proud rusty-colored sideburns. gray wide grin making remarks save life. guy two-bits worth in. Hence name. Even teachers forgot name Keith hardly one. Life big joke famous shoplifting black- handled switchblade (which acquired first talent) cops. really help Everything irresistibly let police brighten dull lives. (That's explained me.) fights blondes unfathomable junior eighteen half learned kicks. well ourselves things. reminded Will Rogers--- maybe pick character gang Dallas Winston--- Dally. draw picture dangerous mood personality few lines. elfish face cheekbones pointed chin small sharp animal teeth ears lynx. blond haircuts oil either fell forehead wisps kicked tufts curled behind nape neck. blue ice cold hatred world. Dally spent years wild New York arrested age ten. tougher us--- tougher colder meaner. shade difference separates hood present downtown outfits Tim Shepard's gang. York blew steam here organized gangs rarities--- bunches friends together warfare social classes. rumble called born grudge fight opponents happen bring along. Oh named around River Kings Tiber Street Tigers here Southwest there's rivalry. Dally sometimes specific thing hate. No rival Only win try they've breaks whipping going change Maybe why bitter. quite reputation. file station. arrested drunk rode rodeos lied cheated stole rolled drunks kids--- everything. smart respect Cade last least. puppy many times lost crowd strangers you'll Johnny. youngest next smaller rest build. black tanned face jet-black heavily greased side shaggy bangs across forehead. nervous suspicious beating matters. gang's pet everyone's brother. mother ignored she hacked something hear her yelling clear house. hated worse whipped. run million hadn't there. known affection wiped hurriedly. cheerfully calling every tried quiet arotmd people changed subject. lit cigarette handed Everyone smoke relax. lessens tension. trembling color calming down. eyebrow. touched gingerly. nodded sagely. Tough tuff words. rough means sharp--- tuff- looking Mustang record. both compliments. flicked ashes Leave broke in hole toe shoe. Me dig other. please hollered carrying carried brought B's A's stayed A's. playing football studying reading football. Sodapop--- school tickets speeding. glaring "Leave alone hear? ain't fault likes movies us excuse ribbons." takes impatiently laid does tells Most said. --- yawned flipping butt--- shook come. lot stand Randle. Sometimes sighed anymore. us. wouldn't open forced letting weekends. On nights Dally's hand. ring senior get finger. Sylvia Evie Sandy Two-Bit's blondes. thought. Tough loud wore eye makeup giggled swore much. girl fine though. Her natural laugh soft china-blue She kind--- greaser--- nice girl. Still lots like. bright- eyed dresses decent length acted they'd spit given chance. Some remembering Winston blame dirt--- gave Mustangs Corvairs yelled mean... Did hauled Dallas? beaten rodeos. doing homework night. Great Expectations English Pip marked lousy gentleman anything That happened once. biology dissect worm razor cut switchblade. minute out--- done it--- this gasped hot. These class--- classes smart--- funny. didn't cute yellow. deserve trouble deserves everything gets worse truth. Two-Bit--- swipes stores. fun swipe nailed races fights energy feeling blow off. mumbling. door. giving back-rub. pulling muscles roofs carry bundles roofing ladder. sleep sets head did work man twenty. popular guy school captain football team voted Boy Year. money college athletic scholarship won. now jobs college. anywhere anymore gyms skiing sometimes. turned purple. mirror tough. Band-Aid cut. streets Why much? alone. nearly sleep Sodapop bed time sleepily turn light bed. finished chapter on Lying staring wall faces shirt wearing shivered. lied. threw arm mumbled drowsily. sake keep sarcasm sighed happily. breathing regular. moonlight Greek god earth. handsome. sighed. meant another feed somebody holler at. me? hard wrong once human. care lied myself care either. enough lie myself believe 2 DALLY WAS WAITING corner Pickett Sutton early drugstore shopping center goof around. bought Cokes straws waitress eyeing manager wise suggested leave. late though packages Kools jacket. Sutton Dingo. drive-ins town--- Way Out Rusty's Dingo Jay's. hangout shot. talking hoods knew leaning windows hopping seats away jail who whip stole why. everybody twenty-three-year-old Mexican hitchhiker. switchblades out cops mind wants fuzz show. crossed Spencer's Special discount junior- kids field minutes sneak fence Nightly Double drive-in movie. biggest town night weekends four--- in--- costs quarter car--- legal show whether law not. laws. rows seats concession Nobody front. coolly aisle sick feeling usual tricks right. talking hear. worse. talk dirty embarrass appeal struck dumb hastily Coke. embarrassed girls--- might helped Dallas. tuff-looking dressed good-looking. seventeen. short hair redhead mad straight chewing gum. pretended impatient. redhead's chair winked beat record dirty. cool stare. Boy before cheerleader stuck-up. were. fumed watched her. tone times: Oh yeah What car? thought coolly bother biting voice bored--- grinned slyly. roguishly. mad shrugged strolled half-scared especially head wide-eyed. Suddenly smiled. Gosh get. Ponyboy's personally dark-haired Cherry stiffen. softly. briskly pride--- telling doll. girl Marcia winced inside. told roughly. poor dumb-looking hoodlum wandering breaking lights--- fit fitted perfectly managed shy strangers. sizing smiled softly sized striding armful Cokes. Cherry. incredulous look Coke face. sleeve dangerously. smile. her reached taken guard. disbelief. goose. gulped pale scowled Two-Bit Steve Johnny flattened moment's hesitation. Winston dime store move candy counter. belted knocked tooth loose. complete stranger hit stalked off pockets frown relief. admiring smiled Johnny's red. nerve Dally--- worshiped less hero. Marcia cute Valance looker. suddenly raising eyebrows disappeared bangs. Would boys! plainly. classy ones broads flip nonchalantly asked. 'That's funnyI both..." grateful. awful. grinned. tiredly carefully defensively nodded. take buddies members. stickup brothers more. pack. snarling distrustful bickering pack clubs wolves timber. true. cousin Kansas down swearing. cousinly type. explain try awhile cousins class kinds Don't finality heard settled car. They'd boyfriends booze angry left. sounded annoyed. idea probably high-class probably expensive. beach-party plot acting bikinis swinging songs silence strong shoulder mine deep skin. leap door yell fearfully Chessy cat. imitations snarling Soc. ghost. smothered scare forgotten. scatterbrained. opened weakly messed climbed chair plopped Marcia. smoothly. acts boozed sober. eyebrow puzzles feels brightly. admiringly. disagreed. grinned sassy Incidentally greaser. playful stated cheerfully. Blades rough. chains heaters pool sticks rumbles. Skin fighting blows There's nothing throwing punches. two rumble clubs. Us among ourselves fair two. whatever slashed tires you've pay spotted too fault. rule besides Stick caught. Either feud outfit Shepard's needed tomorrow beats asks we'll pays sweat." sarcastically unconcerned. cigarette. words half sideburns long understood offering cigarettes regular slightly. steady finishing realized alike. starving principle thing. saw perfectly good free fifty cent piece. added reach pocket. and usual line mile wait. Quite grease Socy often. seem notice. else. statement question. nervously plenty milling looks shouldn't something. either--- faster IT ALMOST months ago. DX buy bottles bunch flirting Soda--- yet. says warmish spring bright chilly At block wide play hang often site rumbles fist fights. passing kicking Pepsi noticed ground. blue-jeans jacket--- jacket had. slinging examined carefully. stain rust collar. stains grass. stricken expression moan motionless hump first. gently sick. badly. seeing banged up--- clobbered madder heck beatings this. bruised swollen gash temple cheekbone. scar T-shirt splattered blood. sudden dead surely live. closed second muffled groan Somehow sensed happened. comical stormy. porch ran skidding halt. breath turning vaguely. York's West now? lifted limp body shake. soft swallowing ignoring command. swear crying control himself sobbing couldn't. two-by-four whimper. now. pushed Finally sobs gasp story. hunting practice rings hand--- death--- threatened sun. high-strung hearing parents Living conditions rebellious bitter killing coward. rumble. stuck night beating jumpier ever. himself law-abiding six-inch He'd again. dead body... HAD NEARLY forgotten listening reality startled sheet. digested people. stories muggings neck sick sad. eye. hitting fine. Both scatterbrained sense humor. talking. worrying listen swear club. Once reform school hanging sweet tricks tar lecture sneaking broad trouble. As result spoke shy tell. we'd day. funny subject about. crocked lecture crawl floor downtown girls. troubles. sweat about--- grades cars Corvairs--- Man worries lucky. 3 AFTER THE MOVIE gallantly offered west town miles away--- talked house seemed Socs--- example--- Beatles Elvis Presley rank tuff basic sameness. separated slowly right younger guard wall aloofness selves through. social-club coldly practically impersonally. hide smile--- engaged conversation themselves. rep quiet such buddies. say cocking Till met Valance. her Mickey Mouse horse. personal. buckskin horse his. belonged stables Mouse doubtedit. ten horsecrazy. horse alike buckskin ornery colt. chew crazy horse: horses Soda'd nip hard. may guy glad. bawled Mouse. cried twelve going-on-thirteen. felt ends meet. thirteen score. saving year someday You're startled. shrugged. pictured garbage Stood screamed hurry sunset patio steps worlds lived different. sunset. gasped. street. throat white. shifting nervously. fingernail. bleakly grimly steady standing was trembling. why--- jumpy. muttered passed 'That close." silent urged on. lip. Darry... like? ol' burst bitterly: "He's rock frozen pain bet wishes somewhere him." dumfounded. snapped silly. burning thankful darkness. stupid. heaven. least with. fool everyone. round slapped miserably. buddy. bleak fiercely messing passionately. meant selfish slob barmaid support sister wild cunning die Steve--- bitter violence temper. Sodapop... dropout job family fun--- spare river-bottom parties Things over All good-natured slowly. resignedly halt seat ski jacket yellow wine-colored sweater. clothes evening pair navy sleeves short. swallowed. tuck shirttail time collar black-haired Soc sweater began. Soc's wearing heavy rings. quickly dawning rings... thoughts: mad. "A little?