Content Warning: This section of the study guide contains mentions of drugs, violence, and sexual assault.

Leo Caraway narrates his observations about having to undergo a cavity search, and the way it impacts a person. Leo intends to tell the story of how he went from the president of his high school’s Young Republicans club with early acceptance to Harvard to Cleveland Police Department’s private examination room. Leo used to believe he had control over his destiny, but now he feels people are just pinballs, reacting to the things that bounce them around.

Leo first got involved in the Young Republicans club because of worries about a chaotic part of his DNA, which he refers to as “McMurphy.” He joined the Young Republicans partly to keep McMurphy in line and partly to aid Congressman DeLuca on his campaign trail after his friends took up the cause.

After Congressman DeLuca’s successful campaign, Leo reluctantly allows his oldest friend, Melinda, to accompany him to the victory party on a boat. Melinda dresses in goth attire and is vocally anti-Republican. She strongly disapproves of Leo’s new path and makes a scene on the boat.