Summary

In Chapter 7, Paul arrives at Pete Mercer's office just as officials from the Metropolitan Museum are packing up a painting by Picasso which Mercer has given them as a gift. Paul knows that Pete has an uncanny gift for making money, seemingly magically managing his investments even when the economy suffers setbacks. Mercer says he's planning to “wind down” his business endeavors and doesn't want to forget that the painting is hanging on his office wall.

Pete asks if Paul has visited Seir yet. Paul asks if it's a real place. Pete says it “smells of goat,” but he assures Paul that it's real. Pete seems to believe the Ulms may have inherited Seir as an irrendentism pact. This is a pact that gives territory to a person or group of people who formerly owned the territory. Pete says that, as the victims...