The journey toward adulthood is marked by a variety of childhood and adolescent experiences. These experiences contribute toward a loss of innocence and a greater understanding of life itself. In T.C. Boyle's story, "Greasy Lake," the teenage protagonist finds himself one step closer to maturity after a truly insane and unexpected night at the local hangout; a fetid, murky and polluted lake where "...anything could have happened" and did.
             At the beginning of the story, the main character describes his adolescence as "a time when courtesy and winning ways went out of style, when it was good to be bad, when you cultivated decadence like a taste." The narrator and his friends, Digby and Jeff, consider themselves to be "dangerous characters;" they slouch around with toothpicks in their mouths, wear torn-up leather jackets, sniff glue, and drink gin mixed with grape juice. School has just gotten out for the summer and the three are on a constant search for adventure; their quest for the heart of darkness eventually leads them to Greasy Lake where they find themselves in far more trouble than they anticipated.
             When they arrive at the lake, the boys spot what they believe to be an acquaintance's car, so they blare their horn and flash their headlights in hopes of embarrassing their friend. The car however, is occupied by a truly "bad greasy character," Bobby, who they foolishly provoke. The chain of events which follows, leads them to the realization that they are not as "bad" as they think they are. Such a metamorphic occurrence often times, must of necessity be extreme/severe, and the author conveys the intensity of the fight quite wonderfully. The narrator is astounded by the first kick from Bobby, which catches him under his chin leaving him sprawled in the dirt. Likewise, his two friends are also dumbfounded when they join the brawl; the "greasy character&q...