Sammy's manager, Lengel, admires the routine and structure within the store. Lengel is opposite to Sammy's desires of rebellion, independence, and individuality. While hovering over Sammy, Lengel asks him, "[ . . . ], have you rung up their purchase?" (Updike, 103). Sammy responses with an abrupt "No", in which significantly shows his rebellious and devious attitude towards authority. Sammy referred Lengel to be as one of the store's "kingpins" that regulates and patrols the "sheep", (Updike, 99). Lengel was referred to being a "kingpin" because he told Queenie that "[he wanted her] decently dressed when [she came] in [there]," (Updike, 102). She argued with him that "[they were] decent", in which Lengel said that he "[ . . . didn't] want to argue with [them]", and as they were in the store, they were to have their "[ . . . ] shoulders covered. It [was their] policy", (Updike, 102-103). This creates situational conflict between Lengel and Queenie because he not only prevents her from being a rebellious individual, but he also prevents Sammy from being rebellious as well. Sammy felt as if he was the one being oppressed because he saw her to be like him in those aspects. He was forced to deal with the idea of quitting to be the heroin or to deal with the oppression that he felt would destroy him. Sammy decided that standing up for Queenie and her friends, was in the best interest of his possible future. He informed Lengel, after the girls left the store in embarrassment, that he "quit". Lengel questioned him, "Did you say something, Sammy? Sammy reiterated, "I said I quit." Lengel tried to convince him that it was going to be a mistake that he "[doesn't ] want to do [that] to [his] Mom and Dad" (Updike, 103-104) Sammy admits that he shouldn't do it to his parents but he needed to follow through with what he started or he would look like a fool. Lengel accepted his resignation for what it was and understood that he was doing it for the girls.
