Breakfast at Tiffany's Section 10
Summary
Joe Bell presents the newspapers to the narrator reguarding the arrest of Holly Golightly. The newpaper article lists the accounts against Holly. They both go back to Joe's bar to make phone calls to get Holly released from jail.
First, they attempt to contact O.J. Berman, but he does not want to be disturbed because he is receiving a massage. Next, they call Mr. Trawler. He is away to dinner, so they try to leave a message with Mag Wildwood, but they are unsuccessful. The narrator finally contacts Mr. Berman. By that hour, Berman is already aware of the news and pays a lawyer to get Holly out of jail.
The narrator goes to feed the cat and finds Jose's cousin in the apartment. He presents a letter to the narrator that reads "For Miss H.Golightly-Courtesy Bearer".(97)
Notes
- shysters (94) - one who is professionally unscrupulous especially in the practice of law or politics.(http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/shyster). Joe Bell describes the lawyers that he intended to hire as shysters.
- tumbler (94) - a glass cup usually used for holding aolcohol. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbler). A brandy tumbler is what the narrator had full of coins in order to make telephone calls with regards to help Holly get out of jail.
- phony (95) - a deception made for personal gain.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phony). O.J. Berman thought Holly was a real phony.
- Iota (97) - The word iota is used in English to express a very small amount, because iota is the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iota). The narrator sat on Holly's bed and felt very bad for her situation.
Commentary
Joe Bell came to the narrator's apartment hysterical about what he read in the newspaper. He arrived unable to make complete sentences. He knew they had accused Holly Golightly of being involved in some illegal business. He also knew that she was in jail and he had to do something to help her. He presented the newspaper to the narrator so he could read the counts.
Joe Bell asked the narrator if he thought she could commit such an act. The narrator stated "But there, she did do it. Carry messages and whatnot---". (Capote 94) Joe didn't expect that type of response from the narrator. He popped a Tums in his mouth and, glaring at me, chewed it as though he were crunching my bones. (Capote 94)
Joe Bell truly cared for Holly. He knew he had to free her from that jail cell. He immediately start calling people that would bale Holly out as soon as possible. That's probably why he began with O.J. Berman.
Truman Capote had two childhood friends while growing up. They were Nelle Harper Lee and (Lula) Carson McCullers (1917-1967) - original name Lula Carson Smith. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/capote.htm