Part Two - In the City, Chapter Seventeen Summary

At the opening night party in New York, Karim realizes that he never loved Eleanor; in fact he barely knew or understood her. Pyke reads out his predictions about who would sleep with whom in the cast, and reveals that he had manipulated Karim and Eleanor's relationship from the beginning. This is the final nail in the coffin of Karim's relationships with these people. He calls Charlie, who is now in New York, desperate to escape. Before Charlie arrives, Karim attacks Pyke, but is swiftly subdued.

Charlie and Karim get reacquainted, and Karim is surprised to find that Charlie is a big star in America. He also recognizes that Charlie's false persona is making him miserable. Even Charlie's adopted passion has faded. Karim moves in with Charlie to minimize...