The Grass Dancer

The month before Harley Wind Soldier is born, his father Calvin and brother Duane are killed in a collision. The day of the accident, Henry Burger is at a tavern on the edge of the Sioux reservation with his best friend Lloyd. Lloyd tells Henry he wants to revive Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show by casting people who live on the reservation. Lloyd believes this will provide them the opportunity to leave North Dakota and see New York City. Henry does not approve of Lloyd’s idea and does not think other locals share Lloyd’s desire to leave.

Henry’s lack of enthusiasm upsets Lloyd, who brings up that Henry’s girlfriend cheated on him. Henry reflects on this while drinking copious amounts of alcohol. He believes his girlfriend Jeanette is growing tired of him. She often threatens to leave, but he is unsure if she wishes to leave him or the Sioux reservation altogether. He tries to avoid arguing with her and to ignore her interest in other men, but Lloyd’s decision to openly discuss her infidelity breaks his state of denial.

After finishing several alcoholic drinks, Henry gets behind the wheel of his truck and starts to drive the familiar route home.