Maurice works the elevator at the hotel where Holden is staying. He is also a pimp, and after talking to Holden briefly, he sends a prostitute, Sunny, to his room.
Holden returns after hanging out at Ernie's bar in a depressed state of mind. He walks "forty-one gorgeous blocks" back to his hotel, and as he is riding up in the elevator, the "elevator guy" asks him out of the blue if he is interested in "having a good time". At first, Holden does not know what the guy, Maurice, is talking about, and he is a little taken aback when he realizes that he is being offered a prostitute, for "five bucks a throw". Even though it is "against (his) principles", Holden consents. He is so depressed, he doesn't even really think about what he is doing.
Holden is very nervous while waiting for the prostitute in his room. He changes his shirt and brushes his teeth, ruminating about his limited sexual experiences to this point in his life. Holden reveals that he is a virgin, and for a moment considers that "this (is) his big chance, in a way". Really, though, he is apprehensive, and just "want(s) to get it over with".
A very young girl, Sunny, shows up at his door; she is in a hurry, and very nervous and crude. Holden suddenly feels even more depressed, and suggests that they just talk for awhile, but Sunny does not take his suggestion kindly and brazenly pulls her dress off and lays it on the bed. Increasingly uncomfortable, Holden tells her he does not want to have sex with her, citing a recent fictitious operation as an excuse. He offers her five dollars for her time, but she demands ten; surprisingly, Holden holds his ground and does not give her any more than he had previously agreed upon. Sunny leaves with a rude rejoinder; Holden says "so long", but does not thank her. He is glad he didn't (Chapter 13).
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