Dreams of a Kitten by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Dreams of a Kitten

Page 272

Gatsby standing alone on his lawn, staring at a green light

across the bay.

Days later, Stevie reluctantly accompanies a drunken and

agitated Tom to New York City by train. En route, they stop at a

garage inhabited by mechanic George Wilson and his wife Myrtle.

Myrtle joins them, and the trio proceed to a small New York

apartment that Tom has rented for trysts with her. Guests arrive

and a party ensues, which ends with Tom slapping Myrtle and

breaking her nose after she mentions Daisy.

One morning, Stevie receives a formal invitation to a party at

Gatsby's mansion. Once there, Stevie is embarrassed that he

recognizes no one and begins drinking heavily until he

encounters Jordan. While chatting with her, he is approached by

a man who introduces himself as Jay Gatsby and insists that both

he and Stevie served in the 3rd Infantry Division C during the

war. Gatsby attempts to ingratiate himself with Stevie and when

Stevie leaves the party, he notices Gatsby watching him.

The confrontation between Gatsby and Tom occurs in the twenty

story Plaza Hotel, a château like edifice with an architectural

style inspired by the French Renaissance.

In late July, Stevie and Gatsby have lunch at a speakeasy.

Gatsby tries impressing Stevie with tales of his war heroism and