Stradlater returns in a bad mood after his date and criticizes Holden's essay about his brother Allie's baseball mitt. When Stradlater says the essay should have been about a room instead, Holden rips it up. Holden questions Stradlater about his date and suspects something went wrong. This leads to a fight where Holden tries to punch Stradlater but misses. Stradlater overpowers Holden and punches him, leaving his nose bleeding.