This chapter centers on Chip Lambert. Chip lives in New York City and is hosting his parents for the weekend; Denise, his sister, who is a successful chef in Philadelphia, is also visiting. Chip is a onetime professor of cultural studies who now works as a legal proofreader and writes occasional unpaid articles for the “Warren Street Journal: A Monthly of the Transgressive Arts” (17). He has also completed a screenplay, which he is attempting to sell.

Chip’s reception of his parents is awkward. Enid insists on believing that the Warren Street Journal is the Wall Street Journal and keeps asking Chip to show them his office. Alfred remains an intimidating presence to Chip, even in his vulnerable old age. When the three arrive at Chip’s apartment, they are greeted by Chip’s girlfriend, Julia. Julia is in the process of leaving Chip and was clearly not expecting them so soon. When Chip attempts to stop her—leaving his parents to wait in his apartment—she tells him that she is offended by the sexism of his screenplay.

She leaves in a taxi in the rain; at the same time, Denise arrives. Chip asks Denise to look after their parents while he goes after Julia.