Chapters 40 & 39 Summary

After work, Tender is at home, answering calls that come into his suicide hotline. Call after call, he tells people to kill themselves. To his surprise, Fertility Hollis calls in on the line. She calls in and asks, "Does it hurt very much to die?" He immediately notices her voice. Fertility explains that she wants to know, because her brother killed himself last week. Tender decides to disguise his voice, to ensure that Fertility won't recognize him as the guy from the cemetery.

Tender asks Fertility to describe how she is feeling. She says that now is probably the best time to kill herself as spring term is almost over, her lease on her apartment is almost up, and her tags on her car will expire in a week. Tender tells Fertility there is so much to live for. He asks her if...