Part 4, pages 259-293 Summary

Marx is interested enough in the Corpse that he is able to overcome his jealousy of Plucky having been with Amanda. Under protest from Marx, and despite the fact that the Vatican will soon take of note its wayward Messiah, the group agrees to respect a "cooling off" period before addressing the problem of the second coming. The feast before the fast is therefore set in motion. Together they eat, drink and smoke hash. Plucky Purcell dances with Mon Cul. They take turns telling stories.

Amanda tells a story of thistles and butterflies, relating them to the fall of Eden. John Paul tells a story of Africa and its ideological conquest at the hands of both Christianity and science. Marx tells a story of his childhood and how his natural intelligence drew him toward science and away from his...