The Plot Against America

Alvin arrives the next night with his fiancée, Minna Schapp. Her father—known as Pinball Billy—is a gambler and criminal who runs an empire of pinball machines. Alvin has been working in a lobster house that the man owns. Minna is quiet during dinner. Philip notices that Alvin now talks like a gangster. He is also dressed in a flashy suit and drives a fancy car. He tells them that he is grateful to them and wants to make peace with the Roths for all they have done for him. Near the end of dinner, Herman shakes his head and tells Alvin that he has come to nothing and that he doesn’t care about what is happening to the Jews. Alvin says, “I wrecked my life for the Jews!” (296). He shows Herman his leg and then spits in his face. They begin a violent fight that leaves the room destroyed. Mr. Cucuzza comes up and stops them, but not before Alvin’s wrist is broken and several of Herman’s teeth are shattered. 

After Herman is back from the hospital, there is gunfire in the street. They go downstairs and hide in the Cucuzza’s bedrooms while Mr. Cucuzza stands guard.