Book Three, Characters in Nature: Descartes and Philosophizing Summary

Gus wakes up in a strange room, hungover. He returns to a rocking chair where moments later, a large dog is angrily staring at him. Irving walks in the back door with food and Gus pleads to Irving for help. Irving tells Gus he is sitting in Descartes chair. Gus cautiously climbs out and over to the couch, where moments later, they all three have tea together. Irving interprets Descartes' thoughts through "Psychic Dictation".

Gus eats some oatmeal to help repair the damage of the night before and then he and Irving resume their philosophical discussions, with Irving leading the way. All day long, they eat, drink tea, and read as Irving helps Gus make different philosophical realizations about his world. After two days of this, Gus leaves Irving's...