Tales of the City

Brian winces at the ugly houses as Candi, the woman he met at the restaurant, pulls into her home. He begins to understand why everything looks familiar: he knows Candi’s roommate, Cheryl. Candi says this is okay. The roommates have a heated exchange when Brian enters the trailer, but they are unconcerned about him. Later, Brian catches the bus home and promises to call Candi. As he exits the trailer, he notices a picture on the wall and finally understands: Candi is Cheryl’s mother. 

DeDe leaves Carson Callas’ house. As she thinks of the “yellowed fingernails digging into her flesh” (211), she shivers, but her secret remains intact. By the time she arrives home, she has almost convinced herself that it was a noble act, designed to save her marriage. She takes Beauchamp to bed and says that their relationship is improving. They argue about whether they want children in the future: Beauchamp does not. When she argues that she might want a baby, he says, “‘Fine. Go get somebody else to knock you up’” (212).

Mary Ann buys a tie for Norman during her lunch hour. She watches as a group of women are unloaded from a truck to hand out complimentary packs of cigarettes. Back at the office, she examines the tie. It is “silk, with maroon and navy stripes. Conservative but […] sharp” (215). She reflects on her relationship with Norman while writing poetry but then tears up the paper. Beauchamp offers to buy her a drink that night, but she refuses. He smirks when Mary Ann tells him she is going on a date to the Beach Chalet. 

Mona watches D’orothea talk on the phone to people in New York. She is “sick of competing” (217) with the people on the other end of the phone. D’orothea accuses her of brooding and suggests that she misses Michael. Brian cooks frozen chow mein and comes across a note card from Candi. After thinking about the various women he’s been with over the previous six months, he goes to knock on Michael’s door. 

Jon attends a dinner party and envies the quality of the houseboy, named Harold. Jon and Collier Lane snort coke in a bathroom to escape the talk of “‘remodeled kitchens’” (219). The other guests—mostly gay couples—discuss social lives and make arrangements. Someone enquires after Michael—“‘the twink in the jockey shorts’” (220)—and Jon makes his excuses and attempts to leave. 

Mary Ann is with Norman at a bar with “Archie Bunker ambiance” (221). Norman proposes a walk along the beach. He wonders aloud why a girl like Mary Ann is willing to date him, and she struggles to provide a comforting answer. Norman admits that he is not a vitamin salesman but stops short of telling her the truth. He is silent as they go back to Barbary Lane.

Mona and D’orothea take a walk, and Mona says that she feels as though she is “‘living with a stranger’” (223). They argue, with Mona angry that she feels isolated and cut-off. They argue about D’orothea’s parents and whether they know about Mona. After they agree to drop the matter, Mona keeps thinking about the issue. 

Michael opens the door and finds Brian outside. He invites Michael to smoke with him and “‘rap for a while’” (224). As they talk, Brian suggests they go cruising together, and Michael says that “‘maybe […] we could break up a couple’” (225).

Collier drives Jon home from the dinner party and jokes that he is “‘stuck on that Tolliver kid’” (226). They head for the tubs, were Jon can “diddle away a frenzied hour or two, then return unblemished to the business of being a doctor” (226). Jon spends some time with a “dark-haired man” (227) and, after they exchange phone numbers, the man introduces himself as Beauchamp. 

Brian and Michael go to The Stud, a “suitably megasexual” (228) bar. They devise a plan to help one another find a partner but emerge unsuccessful. Instead, they go for a late-night coffee. 

Beauchamp stumbles out of bed and into the bathroom while DeDe pretends to sleep. After her husband came home at four o’clock the previous night, she is convinced there are “other women” (231). Binky phones a few hours later with gossip to share: Jimmy Carter is a Kennedy. DeDe goes for a reflective walk and realizes that she has never done anything for herself. She decides to keep the baby. 

While trying on boots and drinking cocktails at lunch, Beauchamp calls Jon. Jon is with a customer and hangs up while Beauchamp laughs. He buys the boots. Walking into the office, he begins to measure up Edgar’s room when he is interrupted by a “very territorial” (234) Mary Ann. Later, Mary Ann finally tells Michael about Norman. She cannot shake the feeling that he is “‘up to something’” (234). Michael suggests sneaking into Norman’s room, but Mary Ann is unsure.