Chapter four opens with Billy Pilgrim wandering around his house at night and the phone ringing: "Billy answered. There was a drunk on the other end. Billy could almost smell his breath-- mustard gas and roses. It was the wrong number," (Vonnegut, 73). This familiar mustard gas and rose combination comes back from chapter one. In fact, the drunk seems to align with Vonnegut from chapter one. Vonnegut makes drunken calls at night and Billy received one on this night of his kidnapping. Pilgrim said that he could almost smell mustard gas and roses. This odd combination seems to have a greater significance then a breath description.
The mustard gas, which is used as a chemical weapon, highlights the war part of the novel. The roses seem to draw in a gentle, even romantic ties. With both of these infused in Vonnegut, the drunk's, breath, it shows that the war has affected his life deeply. In addition, it also has affected his relationship and family.
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