Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Bret fixates on Robert Mallory, glimpses Robert’s odd connection to Matt, and escalates into a risky car-tail game that ends at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. There, Bret witnesses Robert’s effortless magnetism with girls and hears Robert’s pointed interest in Susan despite her relationship with Thom. That night, Debbie’s father, Terry, secretly courts Bret with a screenwriting opportunity, suggesting new ambition and murkier adult entanglements.
Summary
After classes, Bret meets Susan by the Buckley bell tower. She seems off but insists she’s fine and teases a future party. When asked, Susan calls newcomer Robert Mallory “rather electrifying,” unsettling Bret as Debbie picks her up.
In the lot, Bret spots Matt Kellner in an intense, close conversation with Robert, which startles and alarms him. Bret hides in his car, watches them part, and impulsively follows Robert’s black Porsche onto Ventura Boulevard. Robert abruptly inverts the pursuit, tailing Bret aggressively until Bret ducks into the Sherman Oaks Galleria.
Inside the mall, Bret calms himself browsing, then sees Robert at the food court charming the Swensen’s clerk and groups of girls with ease. The display makes Bret uneasy about Susan and Thom. When Robert later “happens” upon Bret at the Gap, he jokes about The Shining sighting and denies it, then deflects questions about Matt with a vague family connection. Robert probes Susan’s relationship with Thom, labels Susan “quite the little honey,” and studies Bret, parting with the unnerving line that Bret is really talking to himself.
Bret eats at McDonald’s, then notices Robert staring into the mall pet shop. That night at home, Bret waits for Ryan’s call, ignores Debbie’s, and obsesses over Robert. Unexpectedly, Debbie’s father, producer Terry Schaffer, calls via Steven Reinhardt, apologizes for Liz’s behavior, and privately invites Bret to pitch screenplays—asking him not to tell Debbie. Aroused by the prospect of escape and success, Bret masturbates, takes a Valium, and falls asleep believing a path forward has opened.
Who Appears
- BretNarrator; obsesses over Robert, tails him to the Galleria, interrogates him, and later fields Terry’s secret screenwriting invitation.
- Robert MalloryCharismatic new student; meets with Matt, reverses a car tail, charms girls at the mall, and probes Susan/Thom relationship.
- Susan ReynoldsBret’s close friend; coy about plans, calls Robert “electrifying,” hints at restlessness despite dating Thom.
- Debbie SchafferPicks up Susan after school; later calls Bret (ignored). Her father contacts Bret privately.
- Matt KellnerBret’s recent sexual partner; seen in a close, tense conversation with Robert after school.
- Terry SchafferDebbie’s producer father; apologizes for Liz, discreetly invites Bret to pitch scripts, asks for secrecy.
- Steven ReinhardtFacilitates Terry’s call; informs Bret about Liz’s incident.
- Mr. CollinsFlirtatious junior-high English teacher; passes Bret and Susan outside the library.
- Jeff TaylorClassmate who briefly goofs off in his car; source of porn tapes mentioned later.