The young girl describes the stories behind Samar’s identity. It resembles those of Straka, almost identically. Eric makes a note of this in the margins writing “we see what we want to see.” Indeed, Jen remarks how the description of the girl (named “Khatef-Zelh”) matches Corbeau. We see what we want to see. Jen says that Eric was taller than she imagined. In this case she didn’t see what she had envisioned.

The idea of seeing what we want to see appears throughout the work.

The conversation is interrupted. Osfour shouts, “time” — one of the work’s major themes. A tall man runs inside and gives S. a package. Eric questions: “a burden (or gift) forced upon him.” Eric always notes these paradoxes of human existence. Whatever something it is, it depends on how one perceives it. S. explores the philosophic truth behind this theory.