The Parlor

In Chapter One The Reader Is Introduced To Several Key Characters Of The Novel As Well As The Parlor Itself. Immediately There Is A Relationship Established Between Mario Michael And Rita. There Are Co-Workers Friends And Comrades. Ron Is Introduced As The Owner Of The Facility While He Is A Friend Of The Initial Characters; He Is Not A Part Of Their Antics. The Author Also Introduces A Few Of The Regular Clients. Mrs. Manning A Well-To-Do Elderly Alcoholic Lorna Silvers An Up And Coming Politicians Wife And Rhoda Katz. Rhoda Is A Reporter Who Seems To Have Opted To Take A More Machiavellian Approach To Life. The First Chapter Establishes A Tension Between The Three Friends And Another Co-Worker James Baker. A Prank Carried Out Against James In The Parlor Creates A Situation Where The Chapter Ends With A Scene That Allows The Reader To See That James Is Possibly Not Well-Balanced And Even A Bit Deviant. This Particular Scene Creates Suspicion Throughout The First Half Of The Novel While The Reader Wonders If James Indeed Has Limits.