Norwood

OutoftheAmericanNeonDesertofRollerDromes,chiliparlors,TheGrandOleOpry,andgirlswhowant"toliveinatrailerandplayrecordsallnight"comesex-marineandtroubadourNorwoodPratt.SentonamissiontoNewYorkbyGradyFring,theKreditKing,Norwoodhasvisionsof"speedingacrossthecountryinalatemodelcar,seeingallthesights."Instead,hegetsinvolvedinawildjourneythattakeshiminandoutofstolencars,freighttrains,andbuses.BythetimehereturnshometoRalph,Texas,Norwoodhasmethistruelove,RitaLee,onaTrailwaysbus;befriendedEdmundB.Ratner,thesecondshortestmidgetinshowbusinessand"theworld'ssmallestperfectfatman";andhelpedJoann,"thechickenwithacollegeeducation,"realizehertruepotentialinlife.