Summary

Chapter 5 opens with Virgil counting 90 people at the Empress. Virgil is surprised by applause as he makes his way to introduce the film. Bjorn tells Virgil to enjoy the night off and that he can handle the movie from here.

Chapter 6 takes place the next morning. Virgil thinks about how his parents’ deaths affected him, sending him to theologians for answers. Virgil does not connect with most, but does with a professor who prefers movies to theology because movies provide answers. Orry, Virgil’s sister, calls. She is concerned about Virgil’s state of mind because Virgil is “recovering from a deadly accident while lodging gratis a bizarre stranger there to ease his conscience” (131). Orry asks Virgil about his feelings for Nadine. Virgil dismisses Orry’s comments and Orry counters that Virgil has put Nadine on a pedestal. Virgil...