How It All Goes Down
- Henry Skrimshander—yes, that's his name—is now in college, waiting for his room assignment.
- Three weeks ago, Mike Schwartz recruited him for the Westish College baseball team.
- Henry loves baseball and idolizes Aparicio Rodriguez, the baseball player-philosopher and author of the book The Art of Fielding. Like his hero, Henry has made zero errors as shortstop.
- Even though Mike Schwartz "called him a name" (2.14), Henry agreed to play baseball for the Westish Harpooners.
- Henry's room assignment is in Phumber Hall 205, where he'll room with Owen Dunne, who also owns a copy of The Art of Fielding.
- After reading the book a bit, Henry opens a nearby door, hits something, and tries to open it again, cracking Owen in the head (hello, foreshadowing), who is on the floor cleaning.
- Owen introduces himself as Henry's "gay mulatto roommate" (2.72). (What's his middle name, Twofer?)
- Henry spends his first few weeks at school going to classes, waiting to hear from Mike Schwartz, and listening to Owen talk about himself.