Book 3, Chapter 12 Summary

Salim thinks that if he'd read Raymond's articles earlier, he might not have gotten involved with Yvette. He wants something to help him transcend reality, not people who are trapped like he is. He keeps photographs of Yvette in his desk drawer. She tells him how Raymond seduced her when she was a student. He showered her with money and, even though she knew it was government money, she was impressed. After they were married, they toured with the President, and she often sat by him at dinners. The President had a regal style, starting every conversation and suddenly turning away when he was done. One night, he banged his walking stick down and Yvette didn't know this meant "Silence!" and kept talking. After that, the President never spoke to her or appeared in public with her again.

Yvette's mistake was...