The Drawing of the Three

The Customs officials frisk and interrogate Eddie. They note tape filaments and welts on his arms, but Eddie’s alibi is that the welts are from an allergic reaction he had on his holiday in the Caribbean. The officials can test his blood for drugs if they need, but Eddie wants to see a court order first. Eddie knows his backstory is tight because he stopped injecting heroin a month ago in preparation for the drop. The officials have no choice but to let Eddie go, but agents continue to tail him. Ever since Eddie stepped through the doorway, he has been able to glimpse the door, or portal, hanging in midair. Once, when Roland leaves his brain to go to the other world, Eddie can see the lobster-like creatures approaching Roland’s body and the awakened Roland crawl away to safety.

The civilization triumphs of Eddie’s world, such as high-rise buildings and airplanes, enchant Roland. Eddie reminds him that “it gets old in a hurry” (102). Eddie buys cola, extra-strength aspirin, and sandwiches for Roland. Although Roland’s wounds are still badly infected, he feels much better after consuming the food, drink, and meds. He’s particularly entranced by the flavor of the cola and wonders whether cola and cocaine, which he knows Eddie constantly craves, are the same thing.