Alex receives community service in a nursing home as punishment for his drunk diving. In Chapter 6, Alex meets his assignment: Solomon, or Sol. As Alex enters the nursing home to begin, he notes the “smell […] the color scheme […] and the PEOPLE” (41), who are a fascinating combination of old people and orderlies. Before finding Sol’s room, Alex has to talk with the nurses, who laugh at his assignment at length, cautioning him that Sol will “eat you up if you let him get an edge” (43).

Alex enters the room and immediately notices the lack of decoration and Sol’s intense appearance, describing Sol as “an ancient, merciless gargoyle” (45). Sol engages Alex in a combative conversation; Alex doesn’t know how to handle Sol’s sarcastic, rude attitude, or the strange Yiddish phrases Sol often uses. Alex feels frustrated by Sol’s constant attacks. As Alex struggles with their conversation, Sol stops breathing easily and the nurses rush in. Alex leaves and immediately writes a letter to Judge Trent asking for another assignment, listing all of the disrespectful insults that Sol directed to him. Judge Trent declines, arguing that “Mr. Lewis sounds like the perfect match for [Alex]” (53).