High-Rise

That same night, Laing gets drunk with his clan, like everyone else in the high-rise. A violent, sexual energy drives their parties. As the film critic Eleanor Powell tells Laing, “A low crime-rate […] is a sure sign of social deprivation” (111). Despite the fact that none of the residents sleep during the night, many of them still leave well-dressed for work the following morning, spending their days asleep at their desks.

The following morning Laing leaves his breakfast to investigate raised voices in the hallway. Steele informs him that the upper-floor residents plan to divide the building to secure the electrical system, using the 25th floor as a no-man’s-land: They will have to move upward.

Laing’s sister, Alice, appears from a lower floor looking to use his electricity. In his apartment, Laing is surprised to find himself attracted to his sister, who reminds him of his mother. She accepts his invitation to move into his apartment. While many residents pack for moves upward, Laing resolves to stay put: “He would build his dwelling-place where he was, with this woman and in this cave in the cliff face” (115).

After Alice leaves Laing prepares to go to work. These preparations make him realize how dirty his apartment has become: Rancid food leaks from the fridge and trash bags litter the small rooms.