Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

The narrative returns to 1986. Henry visits Bud’s Jazz Records, a place where he has always felt at home. The original Bud is no longer there, but the new owner knows him and passes on condolences for Ethel’s death. Henry is searching for a particular record by Oscar Holden, a vinyl recording made in the 1930s. In lieu of that purchase, he buys a recording by another Seattle jazz artist.

On the weekend, Henry walks past the old Nippon Kan Theater, which was abandoned years ago and has now been remodeled. In Chinatown he meets Marty for lunch. Marty can tell that something is bothering Henry and questions him, but Henry is vague. He mentions his plan to stop by the Panama Hotel but doesn’t share the real reason. Henry realizes that his son must regard him as reliable and, therefore, boring and lacking spontaneity. Henry turns the tables and asks Marty what is bothering him, and Marty clams up. Henry reflects that he never could talk to his own father and now he seems unable to talk to his own son. This was Ethel’s wish when she learned that she was dying: that somehow her passing would bring father and son closer together.