Giovanni's Room

David, Giovanni, Jacques, and Guillaume leave the bar at 5 AM and pile into a taxi bound for Les Halles market. The men idly chatter, and Giovanni tells them that he lives in a small maid’s room on the outskirts of Paris. David silently resolves to clarify the status of his and Giovanni’s friendship when they are away from the “dirty old men” (49), but he also doesn’t prevent Giovanni from holding his hand. They arrive at the busy marketplace and Giovanni directs the driver to a nearby bar. After some hesitation, the group enters and Giovanni introduces his friends to the patron, Madame Clothilde. David notices the customers all watching their group as they move towards the bar, with two young men scouting Guillaume and Jacques for their money.

Giovanni leaves to chat with the customers he knows. Jacques gives David advice about David’s budding relationship with Giovanni—of which David feigns ignorance—and Jacques urges him to not feel ashamed of his attractions. Jacques dislikes how David treats him, but he recognizes his younger self in David’s fears; Jacques doesn’t want David to treat Giovanni with judgment and deceit when he has a real chance of happiness.