Kicking off their two-day adventure, Sal, Dean, Galatea, and Marie head to a jazz club where they enjoy a fervent performance by a "tenorman" who captivates the exuberant, cheering crowd. Following his performance, Sal and Dean engage in conversation with the tenorman. Dean expresses his desire to simply have a great time.

They all race through the city to Jameson's Nook, a different jazz venue, in the tenor saxophonist's spacious Cadillac. At the club, they encounter a brass musician who brings to mind an African American Carlo Marx. Sal chats with Ed Fournier, an alto saxophonist from San Francisco, while Dean contacts Roy Johnson to organize transportation. Roy takes them to another bar where Sal and Dean befriend a man named Walter, who invites them to his home for a beer. Upon arriving at Walter's residence, they discover his wife already in bed, asleep. However, Walter has to climb over the bed to remove a lightbulb for use in the kitchen. Sal and Dean admire the wife for merely smiling at the situation without any complaints. Dean later remarks to Sal that all women should be as laid-back as she is.

Departing from Walter's residence at dawn, they rest and get ready for their journey towards the east. Dean recalls his buddy, Ernest Burke, who used to work with him on the railroad. They visit his home, expecting to find a place to sleep, but he is not there. Nevertheless, Ernest's dad welcomes them and permits them to sleep on the floor.

In the morning, as Dean organizes another vehicle from the travel agency, Sal stops by to bid farewell to Galatea, who is still anticipating Ed's return from an unknown location. Sal and Dean embark on their journey in a car driven by a reserved, homosexual man they refer to as "the fag." They are accompanied by two other passengers, a male and a female. The gay man drives cautiously towards Sacramento. Although Dean and Sal are initially frustrated with his driving, they soon become engrossed in a deep conversation in the back seat. Dean mentions that the alto player they spent time with in San Francisco possessed "IT." Sal is curious about the meaning of "IT," but Dean struggles to articulate its meaning.

Sal shares a dream he had in which he was behind the wheel of a vehicle, brandishing a massive scythe out the window and slicing off the tops of everything in his path. Dean recounts a calamitous sales expedition to Nebraska that he experienced with his dad. They continue to exchange stories about their dreams, becoming increasingly enthusiastic in their conversation. This excitement unnerves and distresses the other individuals riding in the car.

Reaching Sacramento, everyone except Dean and Sal desire a break for the night. The gay man invites both of them to his hotel room. Dean requests money from the man, but the man declines and grows anxious. The following day, Dean takes charge of the driving and speeds towards Denver. His reckless driving scares everyone except Sal. After a long drive, Dean suddenly stops and falls asleep. Though the other passengers are afraid of him, Sal reassures them about Dean's driving skills. They arrive in Denver, and the gay man is relieved to part ways with them. Sal and Dean still need to reach New York, but Sal is unconcerned, stating, "No matter. The road is life."