The following Friday night, just a week after the germ of an idea began, they had their first party. And by that time no one was surprised at the female guest list. Jay brought Cynthia. Charles brought his seventeen-year-old sister Kay, who was a short fat kid with pimples. Ed brought a cousin, who had a terrific build and pretty face; not to mention a reputation in the neighborhood as being a whore. And Tom Dunn, being an only child and not having any relatives nearby, brought an ex-girlfriend. A tall, thin girl who was easily the homeliest girl in the group. But to add a touch of freshness to the stale group, Tom invited an Italian friend he worked with, who brought a buddy and two mod, good-looking chicks.

As it turned out, the first party was a complete bomb. If it hadn't been for the bowling alley downstairs, they would have sat in complete silence and stared at each other. However, the league was bowling for position that night and just as Tom finished a fast dance with Cynthia, the music ended, Tom and Cynthia bowed, and a loud cheer rang out below. Everyone laughed. Tom told a joke, punctuated by bowling balls crashing into pins and ending with a cheer from downstairs. Everyone laughed. But the party ended without a single couple getting laid, which constituted a failure.

It was especially a bad blow to Charles Krauss, who had put a great deal of faith in Tom's ability to get them laid. A case of hero-worship that had existed for several years was almost shattered. But Tom scolded him for expecting too much from the first party and Charles was content. At twenty-three, he had to believe in someone or he'd die a virgin, if you didn't count his sister.