Chapter 10

Holden decides to visit the Lavender Room, the lounge at the Edmont Hotel. He thinks about the stories Jane writes about a female detective and wonders if he should call her, but decides against it.

At the Lavender Room, Holden tries to order scotch, but settles for a Coke when the bartender demands an ID. He soon comes across three women in their thirties. They are tourists from Seattle and work at the same insurance office. One of them, on being asked, agrees to dance with him. Holden tries to talk to her, but he is unable to strike a rapport with her. Soon, he amuses himself at her expense. He dances with all of them and orders drinks for them. When they reveal that they are traveling to attend the first show of the Radio City Music Hall, Holden is disappointed. He is unable to fathom why someone might take the trouble to travel so far for the show.

Though Holden is lonely and actively seeks out human company, he is also quick to dismiss the people he talks to.