Christine

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, racism, gender discrimination, cursing, death by suicide, substance use, graphic violence, illness, and death.

After having ice cream and shopping at the mall, Arnie and Leigh pick up a hitchhiking college student on their way to McDonald’s. The hitchhiker compliments the car, but once Arnie goes inside McDonald’s to get food, the hitchhiker notices “bad vibes” and an unpleasant smell. Arnie returns with food, and Leigh chokes on her hamburger. Arnie doesn’t act, so the hitchhiker performs the Heimlich maneuver. Arnie punches the hitchhiker, but he saves Leigh’s life. The hitchhiker knew the Heimlich because he had to learn it to work in a cafeteria. Arnie worked in the Libertyville High School cafeteria for three years, so he should have known how to do it.

While Leigh was choking, the instrument panels turned into eyes. She wants Arnie to get a different car. She believes that Christine doesn’t like it when they kiss. Arnie cusses at Leigh. Alone, he drives Christine around until midnight, listening to 1950s newscasts on WDIL and hearing LeBay tell him to get revenge on “the shitters.”