Leaper
A knowing hotel bellboy who connects Jim to Ronald Shaw’s circle.
Access to Jim and to the discreet social network around Hollywood men.
The book
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeLeaper works at the Los Angeles hotel where Jim teaches tennis.
He recognizes Jim’s interest in men before Jim can comfortably name it.
He provides the social bridge into Ronald Shaw’s closeted Hollywood world.
How the book draws them
- ObservantHe quickly reads clues Jim believes remain private.
- KnowingHe understands the city’s coded gay social life.
- UrbanHe contrasts with Jim’s Virginia innocence.
- A connectorHis introduction changes the course of Jim’s life in Los Angeles.
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