60-year-old heroin addict and petty thief. Kerouac jumps forward in time for a moment in Book Two, Part One, Chapter 8 to explain his frustrations with fame and press attention. Kerouac stayed in Mexico in an attempt to increase his creative output. This attempt succeeds, as he writes "...a whole novel, finished another, and wrote a whole book of poetry." This likely refers to how Kerouac wrote the entirety of Book One: Desolation Angels, and finished writing Tristessa while in Mexico. Kerouac's friends, such as Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky and his brothers, "Tony" and "Lazarus Darlovksy" (Nicki and Lafcadio Orlovsky) then join him, which both excited and frustrates Kerouac. Kerouac discusses Allen Ginsberg's homosexuality openly through the character Irwin Garden, and defends homosexuality, particularly Queer authors. Kerouac had a complicated relationship with his own homosexuality, and here takes care to specifically state that he is "a non-queer". Kerouac and his friends decide to return to the United States, and visit New York, as described in Book Two Part Two. Part Two: Passing Through New York Consisting largely of travel through the United States, as well as time spent in New York and Washington, DC in 1956, Part Two begins with Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and the Orlovsky Brothers making their way to New York, leaving Garver in Mexico, despite his protestations and grief at being left alone. They are driven out of Mexico by a man named Norman (no last name is given), crossing the border into Texas and spending time sleeping in the car or in sleeping bags. Kerouac and Lafcadio share a sleeping bag. The Desolation Angels travel through the United States, drinking and arguing. Open arriving in New York, they meet Ruth Erickson (real name Helen Elliot) and her roommate Ruth Heaper (Helen Weaver), who are both described as incredibly beautiful. Kerouac moves in with Weaver, and they have a relationship from 1956-57. Kerouac claims he felt like marrying her. In this part of the novel, Kerouac describes women in general in a derogatory manner, reducing them to little more than objects of desire for men. Helen Elliot confesses feelings for Julien Love (Lucien Carr), who had earlier had unrequited feelings for her, but was now married. Kerouac meets up with Carr, and discusses a number of the interactions they have had. Kerouac and Carr visit Weaver's house, where Kerouac is living, and upon seeing him drunk,