59 pages 1 hour read

George Saunders

Tenth of December

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

“My Chivalric Fiasco”

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“My Chivalric Fiasco” Summary

Ted works at a medieval themed attraction, and on TorchLightNight, he witnesses his boss Don Murray sexually assaulting his coworker Martha. She asks him to keep it a secret from her partner Nate and leaves before he responds.

The next morning, Don Murray summons Ted to his office with Martha. He tells Ted that he’s given Martha $1000, that their sexual intercourse was “voluntary” and that both Martha and Ted are being promoted, which is “coincidental” to the fling. Ted has been a janitor for six years, which he sees as demeaning work, so moving up to the role of Pacing Guard—an actual character in the attraction—is a big step.

Ted lives with his parents and sister Beth, none of whom work due to injury, illness, and shyness. After stopping to pick up their prescriptions, Ted stops by Martha and Nate’s house. When Nate asks what’s going on at work, Ted decides it’s Martha’s decision whether or not to reveal the rape and covers for her emotional distress.

The next morning, Mrs. Bridges explains that Ted will take a pill called KnightLyfe® to help him perform his Pacing Guard role. His job is to pace in front of a door and guard someone playing the King.

Related Titles

By George Saunders

Study Guide

logo

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain

George Saunders

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life

George Saunders

Study Guide

logo

CivilWarLand in Bad Decline

George Saunders

CivilWarLand in Bad Decline

George Saunders

Plot Summary

logo

In Persuasion Nation

George Saunders

In Persuasion Nation

George Saunders

Study Guide

logo

Liberation Day

George Saunders

Liberation Day: Stories

George Saunders

Study Guide

logo

Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders

Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders

Plot Summary

logo

Pastoralia

George Saunders

Pastoralia

George Saunders