KT Bearman

KT Bearman, often called simply KT, was a student at Theo Decker's high school in Las Vegas, occupying a social stratum so far above his that he thought of her as "a movie star." She had her own black convertible and an allowance of two thousand dollars a month for clothes alone, a sum that placed her in a different world from the scrounging, shoplifting existence Theo and Boris shared. Yet she was also a regular customer of Boris's drug-dealing operation, buying cocaine from him in quantities that helped make him, for a time, "the Scarface of our school."

Social Position and Wealth

KT Bearman belonged to the unchallenged elite of the school, the bland, middling children of local realtors and car dealers who were the cheerleaders and class presidents. Her family's money was evident in her lifestyle: she had her own car, a black convertible, and a monthly clothing allowance that exceeded what many of her classmates' families earned. This wealth made her a valuable customer for Boris, who sold her cocaine in bulk. Boris described her as "a beauty" and admitted he "used to get dizzy around her," though he never slept with her; the closest he came was a hand job in her little brother's bedroom one night when she was wasted. He also noted that KT's sister Jordan was in college, further indicating the family's affluence and social connections.

Connection to Boris Pavlikovsky

After Theo fled Las Vegas, Boris's drug business expanded dramatically. He sold to "senior football players and half the basketball team," and to "lots of girls too… friends of Amber and KT's." KT herself was a major customer, fronting Boris money for larger purchases. Boris recalled that "just KT" alone was a significant source of revenue. He also mentioned that KT's sister Jordan was among the college students at UNLV who bought from him. The weekend after Theo left, Boris was at the MGM Grand with KT, Amber, Mimi, Jessica, and Jordan, partying on the cocaine he had stolen from Xandra. He texted Theo, "U CANT BELIEVE THE LAST FEW DAZE!!!" and described the scene as a "PARTY PARTY."

Role in the Narrative

KT Bearman functions as a symbol of the gilded, careless wealth of Las Vegas that Boris briefly tapped into. She is a figure from the periphery of Theo's story, representing the world of privilege and excess that he was excluded from but that Boris, through his drug dealing, was able to access. Her presence in Boris's life after Theo's departure underscores the speed with which Boris's fortunes changed and the different social circles he moved in. She is also a reminder of the life Theo left behind, a world of parties and easy money that he could have been part of if he had stayed.