Throughout the novel, the narrator expresses fantasies of becoming a great novelist, while admitting that he has little incentive to work toward the goal. His lack of discipline is exacerbated by his nightly excursions to Manhattan nightclubs with Tad, who encourages the narrator’s indolence and substance abuse. Within the narrator, there is internal strife between his desire for success and his inability to summon a work ethic.

The narrator’s laziness is especially pronounced in regard to his work in the Department of Factual Verification at a magazine that he’s long admired. Though he and Megan regard Clara’s attitude toward him as excessively harsh, the narrator never takes responsibility for his incompetence or thinks of ways in which he can prove his worth as an employee. He seems to take it for granted that he should be deemed competent without ever proving that he is so, which may be why he has earned Yasu Wade’s contempt. Additionally, he’s oblivious to valid comments from others, particularly Vicky, about how coveted his position is.

The narrator’s lackadaisical attitude toward what others would consider success is evidence of his taking his privileges for granted—believing that he’s entitled to success instead of having to work toward it.