Otto's Jealousy of Roger

One of the tactics I use to build tension throughout the book is Otto’s growing jealousy of Roger.  Otto perceives himself as the leader.  He probably was when we started out. This, despite all the “we” talk that attempts to put them on level footing. Otto really directed our moves and decided how fast we were going to explore each new environment. But as the story fans out, all the extraordinary stuff keeps happening to Roger. It leaves Otto with nothing to do but whistle in amazement (I wanted to say it left him holding his dick in his hand, but I never witnessed that). This would include delivering Starla’s baby; having a relationship with 4 year-old Cecelia in Santa Cruz; getting struck by lightning at Yosemite; and running bare-assed through Big Sur Gorge (which Otto decined to do). By the time the guys hit Southern California, Otto’s feeling burnished indeed. After Roger walks away with the championship Stud trophy in their competition for Cindy and Denise Latourette, leaving Otto behind in the sand without Denise (even though Roger had nothing to do with her absence), that’s the last straw. That sets up the confrontation over visiting Kelly Cooper in Whittier, which Roger refuses to do.  By now Roger is confident enough to dictate his own actions, and calls Otto’s bluff. Roger sees the incident for what it is—a ploy to return Otto into the leadership position. He seems to transcend Otto’s limited framework and is ready to strike out on his own if need be.  I’m glad that didn’t happen, by the way. But that's the way of two pride-filled teenage boys.