Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

by

Hunter S. Thompson

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
It has been seventy-two hours since the run-in with Alice, and no other maids have even tried to enter the room. Suddenly, the phone begins to ring. It is Bruce Innes, Duke’s friend from Circus-Circus. He has just found the ape that Duke has been trying to buy. Last night, the man wanted $400, but now the price is $750. “What kind of greedhead are we dealing with?” Duke asks. Bruce claims the ape is housebroken, which drives up the price. “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Duke says.
Duke’s random desire for an ape again highlights Thompson’s overarching theme of the excess and greed of capitalism. Duke has absolutely no need for an ape—in fact it is completely absurd—but he can own one for a sum of money. The bizarre request is also surely a result of Duke’s intense drug use.
Themes
The American Dream Theme Icon
When Duke arrives at Circus-Circus, an old man is being loaded into an ambulance. He approaches Bruce at the bar. “Where is it?” Duke asks. “I’m ready to write a check.” Bruce tells Duke that the ape has just attacked a man at the bar and has been taken by the police. “Goddamnit,” says Duke. “What’s the bail? I want that ape.” Bruce tells Duke to “get a grip.” He doesn’t even need an ape, Bruce argues. Duke finally agrees and sits at the bar.
Duke ignores the sick or dying old man and focuses instead on his intense desire for something entirely unnecessary. Even the ape is brutally violent, but again Duke ignores this and seems to find it commonplace.
Themes
The American Dream Theme Icon
Bruce asks Duke when he is leaving town. “As soon as possible,” Duke answers. “You found the American Dream?” Bruce asks. “In this town?” Duke confirms he has indeed. “We’re sitting on the main nerve,” he says. Duke explains that the owner of Circus-Circus always wanted to run away with the circus as a child and Bruce immediately understands. “Yeah, I see what you mean,” he says. “Now the bastard has his own circus, and a license to steal, too.” Duke nods. “It’s pure Horatio Alger,” he says.
For the second time, Duke refers to Circus-Circus as the “main nerve” of the American Dream. Las Vegas serves as a stand-in for American society, which Thompson sees as based on wealth, excess, and corruption. Duke has already implied that the casinos have an unfair advantage and lure people to financial loss, and the fact that Duke believes Circus-Circus to be the American Dream suggests that the Dream is likewise rigged and unfair.
Themes
The American Dream Theme Icon
Quotes
Duke is eager to get out of Vegas. “A little bit of this town goes a very long way,” he says. He claims that five days in Vegas can feel like five years. “Some people say they like it,” Duke says, “but then some people like Nixon, too. He would make a perfect Mayor for this town; with John Mitchell as Sheriff and Agnew as Master of Sewers.”
As Duke has already established Las Vegas as a corrupt and violent place, he implies that President Nixon, John Mitchel (his Attorney General), and Spiro Agnew (his Vice President) are corrupt and violent as well, which would make them natural choices to run the town.
Themes
American Culture and Counterculture Theme Icon
Violence Theme Icon
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