Summary

The scene moves back to 1993. The river has been very damaged by agricultural development and is severely polluted. It is no longer a place to swim or fish. The History House has become the centerpiece of an expensive hotel complex. “God’s Own Country” refers to the hotel’s brochure. The hotel’s main draw is its “heritage” tourism, which takes the traditions of the local area and repackages them in bland bites stripped of most of their meaning. The children’s experiences there have been erased or buried.

Rahel takes a walk and is made aware of her disconnection and the changes around her. The town has grown significantly. She walks past Comrade Pillai’s print shop, hoping she won’t be noticed. He recognizes her immediately, and asks if she remembers him. Pillai tells his customer who Rahel is by explaining...