Chapter 8 Summary

This chapter opens with a description of twenty-seven-year-old Jan Rodericks' background. His Scottish father, a professional magician, died at the age of 45 of alcoholism. His black mother, still living, is a professor at Edinburgh University, lecturing on advanced probability theory. In college, Jan majored in mathematics and physics, minored in philosophy and music appreciation, and became an accomplished pianist. He is currently working towards a doctorate in engineering physics, with a minor in astronomy, at the University of Cape Town.

Although he is living in Utopia, Jan is still unsatisfied with his life. He has romantic ideas about finding love, and had his heart broken by Rosita Tsien, a fellow student. Jan is also dissatisfied about the scientific boundaries that are placed on humans by the Overlords, feeling like a prisoner on his own planet.

Still standing on the rooftop at Rupert's party...