Summary

In Chapter 33, Philip goes to visit Braxia at the apartment where the university has lodged him. Philip notices that all of Braxia’s bags are packed, and Braxia explains that he is leaving that night to return to Italy. Braxia shares his theory that consciousness creates reality, and thus the universe did not technically exist until there was consciousness to perceive it. Braxia now believes that Lack is merely a gap in reality, or in other words, it is a new universe with no intelligence to perceive it, so it has become a pocket of nonreality. Moreover, Braxia states that this reality vacuum consumes objects in an effort to create substance and meaning. Braxia goes on to state that Alice’s consciousness seemingly imprinted on Lack, thereby creating a bond between them and also causing Lack to ‘prefer’ objects that Alice prefers. In light...