Part 1 of Essay
is a story about John and Lorraine, high school sophomores who, not getting what they need from their families, must surreptitiously seek love, reassurance, and meaning on the outside. In each other and Mr. Pignati (), owner of a porcelain pig collection, they find love and reassurance; the meaning they find in themselves ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... up for taking the money, they take Pigman to feed his only friend in the world, Bobo, an incredibly bad-tempered baboon. Mr. Pignati, as he shows them his pig collection that once belonged to his deceased wife, gives John and Lorraine the run of his house. Soon, Lorraine and John become close friends with , who takes them to Beekman's, a large department store, where he buys them rollerskates and gourmet food. They play games together. They are like the three monkeys that they see in the pet department at Beekma ....