the blindfold supper: a real feeding frenzy for old Lyle

The sweat-guru's economy at its peak intake: Doucette, marched through a "marathon sauna-time" and spiralling in anxiety, is generating so much perspiration and distress that it's "a real feeding frenzy for old Lyle." The body-as-currency runs hot here — the more the kid sweats and suffers, the more there is for Lyle to feed on. Lyle's counsel is nourishment drawn straight off the anxious, dripping athletic body, and a panicking Doucette is a banquet.