Ham on Rye

In his identical days at Mears-Starbuck, Henry discovers the “caste system” that exists as a hierarchy of job roles (210). As a stock clerk, he feels demeaned by the salesclerks. The men’s wear clerk is named Justin Phillips, and he teases Henry about his acne scars. One day, some rich boys from Henry’s graduating class visit the store and mock him. Henry challenges Jimmy Newhall to a fight in the parking lot. Jimmy beats Henry, who refuses to give up the fight. As they roll around, Jimmy hits his head on something. Henry seizes on his opponent’s dizziness and relishes in Jimmy’s terror at being beaten. Henry knocks Jimmy down and returns to work. Rumors quickly spread around the store about the fight, and Henry is fired.

At home, Henry’s parents demand to know why he was fired. Over the following days, Henry searches for a new job. He spends his time with his fellows, unemployed, and he misleads gay men so they will buy him alcohol. Each night, he admits to his parents he did not find a job.