Summary

This section begins with Nicholas's first person narration as he heads back to the Hoel homestead to retrieve his buried sculptures. The chestnut tree has been cut down and the house in disrepair, all of which make him sad. While he is digging up and putting his treasures into his car, the police come by. They handcuff him but let him go once his story checks out and the business manager says he does not care about some trinkets. Nicholas asks them if they would like to see a tree grow eighty years in ten seconds but they just send him on his way.

Neelay's narration takes over as he tries to get his five project managers on board with his new idea for Mastery. He wants to make is as life like as possible, with finite resources and consequences to gamers actions...