The little girl, Judy Jones, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story “Winter Dreams” has an unforeseen influence over Dexter’s decision to quit his caddie job. She is a spoiled eleven-year-old, and the day she is sent to play golf at her father’s private club, events do not work in her favor.

When she arrives at the golf course, the teaching professional is working with another patron, and there are no caddies to take her on the course. Dexter is affected by her beguiling looks and attitude. He witnesses her temper tantrum when she finds out that she cannot control the situation. Much to Dexter’s dismay, she addresses him as “boy.” In that moment, he realizes that it is time for him to leave his caddie job, and to move forward with his dreams of becoming as successful as the businessmen who are members of such clubs, not someone who works at them. She sets him on a path of both success and self-destruction.