Chapter 5 Summary: John Varley's New Companion

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

After the massacre at the Crooked Wheel Club, John Varley drives thirty miles out of the city and stops at a remote service station. The attendant’s scent sparks a powerful bloodlust, but Varley suppresses it because escape matters more. He feels a familiar starburst of desire, noting the intimate imbalance of power between himself and the gas station man. After filling the tank, he spots a young man with blond hair and a leopard-print coat leaning against the wall, shivering in the cold. Varley is immediately charmed. His lust and blood-want intertwine. He remembers Bradley, his previous thrall—a coarse red-bearded man who allowed Varley’s advances before being killed at the club. Varley tells himself he needs no one, that a thrall is an entrapment, yet admits he does get lonely. He pulls the Impala next to the boy and rolls down the window. The boy, who speaks with a faint European accent, says his car broke down, though no vehicle is visible. Varley offers a ride west. The boy retrieves his backpack, gets in, and Varley reflects on how replaceable people are—fodder for his will. The chapter ends with them driving onto the highway.

Key Events

Varley stops for gas, fights his urge to attack the station attendant.
He sees a blond hitchhiker in a leopard-print coat and decides to approach him.
Varley internally debates his need for companionship versus his independence.
He offers the boy a ride; the boy accepts and gets into the Impala.
Varley thinks about his murdered thrall Bradley and the men of the Crooked Wheel.
The pair drives west, with Varley feeling both desire and contempt for his new passenger.

Character Development

John Varley: For the first time, Varley’s narration reveals vulnerability—loneliness that contradicts his claim of self-sufficiency. His predatory nature remains central, but he is not purely animalistic; he can delay gratification for strategic reasons. His memories of Bradley show that he has used thralls before and discarded them without remorse. The hitchhiker represents both a potential new thrall and an emotional crutch, though Varley refuses to acknowledge the latter.
The Hitchhiker (Blond Boy): Remains unnamed. He appears trusting, desperate, and perhaps naive, as he gets into a stranger’s car without hesitation. His accent suggests a non-American background. His leopard-print coat and shivering posture mark him as out of place—a traveler who is vulnerable and alone, making him an ideal target for Varley.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Loneliness vs. Independence: Varley’s internal dialogue centers on the tension between his desire to be alone and his actual need for connection. He repeats that he needs no one, yet his actions betray a longing for company.
Predatory Desire: Varley’s attraction is explicitly linked to the scent of blood and the thrill of power. The chapter eroticizes the imbalance between predator and prey.
Replaceability: Varley views people as disposable—“fodder and food.” His casual replacement of Bradley with the hitchhiker underscores his lack of human attachment.
The Road as Escape and Opportunity: The highway represents both flight from the club’s aftermath and a new space for predation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Varley’s characterization beyond a simple monster, showing his emotional needs and self-deception. It establishes a new relationship (the hitchhiker) that may drive future plot developments. It also reinforces Varley’s modus operandi: picking up vulnerable travelers and using them until they are no longer useful. The contrast between his disciplined escape and raw desires makes him a more complex antagonist.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Varley decide not to attack the gas station attendant?
Varley prioritizes escape over immediate gratification. He knows that killing the attendant would waste time and risk capture after the Crooked Wheel incident. He consciously restrains himself to gain distance from the crime scene.
What does Varley’s memory of Bradley reveal about his past?
Bradley was a recent thrall who allowed Varley’s advances but was killed at the club. Varley remembers him with contempt, highlighting that he uses people for sex and blood and discards them callously. The memory also shows that Varley has a history of forming temporary, exploitative relationships.
How does the hitchhiker’s appearance and demeanor appeal to Varley?
The boy’s youth, blond hair (similar to Varley’s own), European accent, and desperate situation attract Varley. He is charmed by the boy’s humor and openness. Varley’s desire is a blend of sexual arousal and bloodlust, seeing vulnerability as an opportunity for domination.