Contents
Second Interlude: Gwen, Under Arrest
Overview
In 1997, Daphne is framed with heroin in prison and later transferred, obsessing over six young people tied to BA 238. On Gwen’s side, a drunken hen/stag night spirals: Donna vandalizes a car, lacrosse kids retaliate at a roller rink, and Gwen is punched.
Arthur and Van repel the attackers before police arrests. By morning, family backlash likely ends Donna and Gregg’s engagement. The interlude underlines fraying bonds and Daphne’s ominous interest in the group.
Summary
In prison, word spreads that born-again inmate Deirdre Flannagan has died by suicide. Senior Officer Humbersome and guards raid Daphne Nighswander’s cell, retrieving a toilet-hidden bag of black tar heroin, clearly planted. Daphne mouths off but realizes she will be transferred out of Black Cricket.
Cut to 1997: for Donna and Gregg’s wedding weekend, the women hit a gay bar, tensions flare between Donna and Gregg’s sisters, and Donna apologizes haltingly. When their planned arcade meetup is closed, they detour to a liquor store, where Donna fixates on a misogynist bumper sticker and, drunk and furious, vandalizes a Chrysler LeBaron.
The group rolls to Merlin’s Cave Roller Rink. On the floor, Van dazzles Allie; Colin glides alone; Gwen and Arthur skate and talk—Arthur muses about a troll, Svangur, and relics, while Gwen warns of King Sorrow’s listening. Outside, the lacrosse squad, likely the car’s owners, attacks Colin’s Caddy. In the confrontation, Gwen—unsteady on skates—collides with a player, is punched to the ground, and Allie nearly summons Sorrow before Van restrains her.
Arthur charges in on skates, disarms and floors two players with a lacrosse stick, then spins, fending off others; Van joins, bowling opponents with his plastic shield. The crowd thrills until police arrive and end it, leading to arrests.
At dawn release, Tana Nighswander retrieves the group by school bus. The Pinets collect Gregg; Sasha coolly separates him from Donna, and Raymond rebukes Van. Donna, brittle and blaming, and Gregg’s family’s reaction make their wedding unlikely. On the ride, Gwen dozes on Arthur’s lap—one last quiet closeness.
Separately, U.S. marshals Winkler and Fromm drive Daphne to FCI Hazelton. She placidly deflects their mockery and pores over clippings on Colin, Donna, Van, Allie, Gwen, and Arthur, reciting their names and fixing her hopes—and intent—on them.
Who Appears
- Gwen UnderfootTries to manage Donna’s spiraling night; is punched during the rink brawl; shares tender, bittersweet moments with Arthur.
- Arthur OakesCalmly discusses trolls with Gwen; then explodes into action, disarming and scattering lacrosse players on skates.
- Donna McBrideDrunk and volatile; vandalizes a car over a misogynist sticker; provokes confrontation; later blames Gregg, straining the engagement.
- Gregg PinetOverwhelmed and passive during the clash; separated by his family in the morning, jeopardizing the wedding.
- Colin WrenDrives the group; watches lacrosse kids damage his Caddy with weary calm; admires Arthur and Van; films with a webcam amulet.
- Donovan “Van” McBrideJoyful skater; restrains Allie from summoning Sorrow; helps repel attackers with a plastic shield.
- Allison “Allie” ShinerSweet, drunk, and devoted; nearly calls King Sorrow in fury after Gwen is hit; sick and spent by morning.
- Daphne NighswanderInmate framed with heroin; later transferred by U.S. marshals; obsessively collects clippings on the six friends.
- Senior Officer HumbersomeLeads the Black Cricket cell search; oversees discovery of heroin hidden in Daphne’s toilet trap.
- “Jughead” (male guard)Finds the bag of black tar heroin in Daphne’s cell plumbing.
- Shanelle EmersonTaunts Daphne at breakfast about Deirdre Flannagan’s suicide.
- Jess BlochInmate with a swastika face tattoo; joins crude cafeteria banter.
- Deirdre FlannaganBorn-again inmate who dies by suicide, triggering the subsequent cell raid.
- Tana NighswanderPicks up the group from detention in her school bus; gently cares for a sick Allie.
- Sasha PinetFirmly takes Gregg away from Donna after release, signaling the engagement’s collapse.
- Raymond PinetWar-vet patriarch who scolds Van and departs with family, disapproving.
- Lulu PinetSkeptical sister; earlier clashes with Donna; later watches with cold satisfaction.
- Gigi PinetNervous, eager-to-please sister; shocked spectator throughout the night.
- Jett NighswanderTana’s son; delights in the adults’ costumes as they’re released.
- WinklerU.S. marshal driving Daphne; sardonic but polite during her transfer.
- FrommU.S. marshal who warns Daphne about Hazelton and the heroin trade.
- Lacrosse boysCollege vandals who attack Colin’s car; one punches Gwen; scattered by Arthur and Van.