The Monkey Wrench Gang

Composed entirely of dialogues, this chapter shows the tensions that lurk just below the surface of the gang's relationships. First, Smith and Doc talk about Hayduke. Smith wants to know "confidentially" (179) what Doc knows about Hayduke. Doc says he knows no more than Smith does. Smith wonders if Hayduke might be an "agent prevaricator" (179), Smith's butchering of agent provocateur, or someone who incites others to commit illegal acts. Doc says they can trust Hayduke. Smith then asks Doc about his own motivation for joining their gang. Doc says he's seen too much and that things are "going to get a lot worse, if we let them carry out their plans" (180).

Next, Hayduke asks Bonnie what she thinks about Smith. Hayduke accuses Smith of always trying to "throw a monkey wrench" (180) into his plans. Denying the charge, Bonnie says that Smith is "the only decent person in this whole morbid crew" (180). Hayduke asks her about Doc and Bonnie says he's "a complete innocent […] on some kind of crusade" (180). Finally, Hayduke asks Bonnie why she's there, calling her by her first name. Bonnie remarks that it's the first time he's done so.