Chapter 2 Summary

Otto visits literary agent Recktall Brown to ask about his play manuscript that he's submitted. Brown, rummaging around, can't find the MS but tells Otto it feel to him as if the novel is derivative if not an outright instance of plagiarism. Otto, offended and set off balance, goes down to the street with his head swirling. Brown then meets with aspiring writer named Basil Valentine, and tells him essentially he same thing about his MS. Valentine tells Brown that he knows about his art forgeries, and threatens to expose him. The Rev. Gilbert Sullivan pays a visit to Valentine, telling him he needs to hear some good music and have a drink. They share cigars, music and drinks while the Jesuit priest rants and raves about the exponentially exploding world population, philosophy, love and romance, and the preparation of mummies. Sullivan condemns...