Part One, Chapters 9-10: Summary

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Without Dean and Carlo, Sal and his pals head west of Denver to the historic mining town of Central City. Central City was once a thriving silver mining center, but today it is little more than a tourist trap. The town's magnificent ancient Opera House is one of its most notable landmarks. Famous opera singers visit Central City once a year to perform in the historic theater.

Even though they have nowhere to stay, Sal and his buddies have decided to have a party in town. Ray's sister Babe Rawlins has heard of a dilapidated miner's shack that may serve as a home if it were renovated. Sal and Babe leave for the opera, and the rest of the gang gets to work cleaning up the shack.

Following a night at the opera, Sal, Babe, and a large group of friends head back to the shack for the after-show party. When the party gets too rowdy, Sal and his pals decide to leave and check out some other bars in the area. The town's crowded alleys and watering holes are due in large part to opera-goers.

Ray Rawlins gets into an altercation. The group wanders the streets of town inebriated before collapsing into bed. The day after they get back to Denver, Sal begins to consider the possibility of uprooting his life and moving to the Bay Area.

After returning to Denver, Sal's romantic disappointments only intensify. In an effort to aid his friend, Dean introduces him to the waitress, Rita Bettencourt. Sal and Rita have sex and Sal expresses his disappointment in his poor sexual performance. Rita complains to Sal that she is uninspired and unmotivated. Sal can not believe it and tries to gush about how amazing his life is.

Sal then goes on a stroll across Denver. He and some hobos are sprawled out on the grass. Sal is excited to hit the road again. He gets lost in town, eventually finding his way to Carlo's apartment, where he spends the night listening to Carlo read his poems. Sal waves goodbye to his pals and hops on a bus to San Francisco after his aunt sends him $50.

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Part One, Chapters 6-8: Summary

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Part One, Chapters 11-12: Summary

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