53 pages 1 hour read

Budd Schulberg

What Makes Sammy Run?

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1941

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Chapters 7-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary

Al attempts to get enough screenwriting credits to keep from being fired, and he finally attends a Guild meeting at Kit’s request. Al observes the conflicting desires of the different sects of writers within the Guild, with tensions between the high-paid and low-paid writers. Kit tells Al that Sammy is taking credit for Julian’s work at a faster pace than ever. They attend another Guild meeting where a heated debate over whether or not to join the Authors League of America ensues. Sammy arrives in the midst of this debate and criticizes the Guild in harsh terms. Though Al isn’t convinced of the effectiveness of the Guild, he defends it from Sammy’s attack.

Al gets laid off from the studio and goes out on the town with Billie to try and cheer himself up. Al gets drunk and attempts to propose to Billie, to which she responds with laughter. She tells him that men don’t propose to her unless they’re in love with someone else. Later, as they leave the restaurant Al once again questions what makes Sammy run. Billie doesn’t have an answer, but Al says that Kit knows and just won’t tell.

Al realizes he is falling in love with Kit.