Unbeknownst to Lauren’s parents, Lauren and Nic are living in their house while they are away. Lauren and Nic are using heavily. Lauren pushes Nic to define their relationship, but Nic remains evasive. He thinks about Zelda, the woman whom he sees as his only true love; he sees Lauren, by contrast, as a temporary solution. He can live at her luxurious house, sampling her father’s wine collection and cooking extravagantly. On the side, he can deal on the street with Gack. He deludes himself into thinking that he will be able to make a profit despite his admission that they are using more drugs than they sell. Nic’s ideal situation collapses when Lauren overdoses and he must revive her. After their trip to the hospital, both continue to shoot up.

After Nic congratulates himself for being “the greatest hustler in the goddamn world,” (80) he is forced to face the consequences of Lauren’s hospitalization. Her parents plan to return home immediately and beg Nic to convince Lauren to live at her therapist’s house for a week. Though Nic promises to do what he can, he is more concerned about losing his luxurious living situation.