Summary

In Part Three, Chapter 14, Brettigan waited at the bar for his friend, Elijah. He felt the whiskey warming "his chest and radiating outward" (107). He observed the other noisy patrons. He watched the "President of the United states, Amos Alonzo ('Coach') Thorkelson" read to children on television (108). When Elijah arrived, they moved to the back so they could hear each other. Brettigan told Elijah about Alma's recent "privileged conversations" with their pets (111). She believed the dog had "opinions," "views," and "judgments" (112, Baxter's italics). Elijah provided some commentary, but preferred not to "worry about the meaning of things" (113). They talked briefly about Timothy, and Alma's attempts to find him by visiting every religious and activist group meeting. When Brettigan mentioned the Sun Collective, Elijah told him about a string of recent murders, all performed by the self-proclaimed Sandmen. The group "beat up and assault[ed...