The story shifts ahead in time to when Franny is twenty-four and working as a cocktail waitress at the Palmer House, a Chicago hotel. She has dropped out of law school, which she had attended for the past two years. While closing the bar one night, she sees Leon Posen, a famous author. Franny is a huge fan of his books, and she convinces the bartender to let her serve Leon drinks. They chat, and Leon tells her that he is teaching in Iowa City, but he likes to drink in Chicago because the ice in Iowa City has herbicides. He also wants to get away from his writing students. Leon, who goes by Leo, asks Franny if she ever wanted to be a writer. She says no, “I only wanted to be a reader” (108). Leo is happy to hear that.

By the time Leo pays his tab, he is very intoxicated. Franny helps him up to his room. Leo forgets his room number and only remembers after they have tried riding to different floors on the elevators and testing out various hotel room locks. They finally find his room, she helps him to the bed, and he quickly passes out.