71 pages 2 hours read

John Green

Paper Towns

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008

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Part 1, Chapters 7-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: "The Strings"

Chapter 7 Summary

When they return to the minivan, Margo tells Quentin that he gets to decide who the next victim will be. Quentin cannot think of anyone to target, but Margo already has the punishment planned. She suggests Chuck Parson, and reminds Quentin about a time when they were younger and Chuck convinced all the girls in their ballroom dance class not to dance with Quentin, even though they were not allowed to say no. Even Margo went along with it, and Quentin had cried from embarrassment. Margo apologizes for participating in Chuck’s prank. Though Quentin is fine, the memory of his embarrassment makes him angry, and he agrees that Chuck should be the next victim. 

Margo directs Quentin to Chuck’s house, though she is not certain she remembers the address. As they approach the house, Margo brings the spray paint, Vaseline and hair-removal cream and tells Quentin that they will put the Vaseline on the doorknobs to prevent anyone from chasing them on their way out. They both enter through a window, but Quentin hurts himself and groans. Margo is already inside the room, and when Quentin groans, the light comes on and they find an old man staring up at them.