Amerika: The Missing Person

Robinson shows up drunk at the Hotel Occidental, wearing an outfit that makes “a positively shabby impression” (108). He asks Karl for money. Karl refuses, but then tries to bribe him to leave the hotel. Robinson vomits, and Karl takes him to the dorm to sleep it off, placing him in Rennel’s bed. When Karl returns to his elevator post, he learns he was reported to the Head Waiter for leaving.

With a feeling of dread, Karl finds the Head Porter and Head Waiter. As Karl waits, the Head Porter gives him angry looks. The Head Waiter threatens to dismiss Karl for leaving his post, and the Head Porter flies into a rage (he holds a grudge against Karl for failing to greet him). The Head Porter invents wild stories about Karl, claiming that the other lift-boys complain about him and that he “spends every one of his free evenings running off into the city” (120).

The Head Waiter calls the Head Cook, and the latter pleads to give Karl a second chance. Therese arrives and cries because she fears Karl will be fired. Karl learns from Therese that the Head Waiter is in love with the Head Cook and will do whatever she says—and feels momentary hope.