Less than Zero

Less than Zero Summary | Part 1 Summary

Less Than Zero is the story of college-age people living in Los Angeles in the mid-1980's. As the story begins, Clay, the protagonist of the story, has just been picked up at the airport by his girlfriend, Blair. It is Christmas break, and Clay has been away at school in New Hampshire for 4 months for his freshman year in college. Clay focuses on a statement that Blair makes, "People are afraid to merge onto the freeway in Los Angeles."

Clay repeats the statement over and over in his head like some sort of mantra. Blair drops Clay off at his mother's house which is empty but smells like pine. The house is immaculate and Clay is alone except for the new cleaning woman whom Clay has never met. Apparently, Clay's mother and sisters are out Christmas shopping.

Clay tries to call his friend, Julian, but is not able to reach him, and Clay's thoughts turn to Muriel, who Blair has just informed him is anorexic. In fact, Blair thinks that Clay looks too pale, too.

That evening is the night of Blair's Christmas party, and Clay arrives with Daniel, who is new to the group. The home is filled with kids from high school who are drinking and using drugs, and Clay looks around for Julian, who is his usual drug connection. Julian is nowhere to be seen but Clay does see Trent, a friend who is a male model, who tells Clay to get a tan and hands him a business card for a Uva bath, which dyes skin to mimic a suntan.

Over the next few days Clay spends time with his mother and sisters with whom he does not get along and also goes to lunch and out for drinks with other friends to catch up on everyone's lives. There is also a brief visit with his psychiatrist, who Clay notices perks up only when Clay discusses any sexually related comments.