Freedom

The narrative switches to Richard’s point of view and jumps forward in time to 2004. This section begins with a lengthy list of Richard’s struggles while recording the second album with Walnut Surprise. During the successful tour, Richard spends too much money partying. He eventually winds up in rehab after driving under the influence of alcohol. He tells the band he is broke and goes back to building decks, which he sees as the only alternative to suicide. The commercial success of Nameless Lake takes away some of the independent prestige he craves. Rather than being honored by a Grammy award and an NPR listenership, Richard feels humiliated.

His third roofing client is a devoted fan of the Traumatics who is disappointed when Richard is reluctant to talk about his career. He is now averse to both sex and music and no longer believes that anyone can change his life. He has also  been celibate for two months. He runs into Zachary, the client’s son, who wants to interview him for his blog in order to impress a girl named Caitlyn. Richard agrees, intending to have sex with Caitlyn to wound Zachary.

The text of the interview with Zachary follows.