S commences his work, drilling into the barrel and setting up a tube that can transport its mysterious, seductive, and deadly contents. He pauses for a moment to think about the consequences of his actions-what he is about to do will kill thousands of unsuspecting people. However, those people are also some of the most vile and oppressive individuals in the world. They would, if left to live, inflict misery on millions of others.

Regardless of the morality of his actions, at first S is surprisingly unimpressed with what he is about to do. “this act feels to him like the most mundane of tasks, no more remakable than going out for a newspaper or brewing a cup of tea” (432). This is despite the fact that his entire life since he washed up in the Old Quarter has been building towards this moment. Suddenly he finds himself sweating, his head spinning, and he realizes:

“This is not what he wants to do” (432).

Throughout the entire novel, S pushes on tirelessly, doing what others instruct him to do, and what he feels like he should do. Not once does he stop to seriously consider doing what he himself wants to do. He thinks of following Sola at various points, but invariably he ends up pressing on with his mission of disrupting Vevoda’s operations. Why would this point be so incredibly different from all the others?

One possible explanation is that now he is with Sola. He has found that specter of a woman who has driven him throughout the entire novel, despite the fact that he very rarely actually sees her. Maybe seeing Sola reminded him of his humanity, which in turn reminded him that his wants and needs actually matter. Regardless of the reason, this hesitation fundamentally alters the climax of the novel.

S goes on to question whether or not it matters what he wants. That discussion is carried out on the next page.

This is the first page in the last few that has significant notes from Jen and Eric in the margins. One of them is Jen thanking Eric for brewing her a cup of tea. This is an extremely unusual thing to do-thanking someone in the form of a note in the margins of a book that requires the other person to read through the entire novel to find one note. Jen and Eric are clearly not normal people. Eric responds in Czech, telling her “Neni Zac” (432), which means “you’re welcome” (google translate). Eric’s decision to write in Czech implies that Jen and Eric may be living in a part of the world that speaks Czech.

Later on the page, Eric underlines the part about S contemplating whether or not what he wants to do matter. Eric lists off things that Straka wanted: “To write; to change the world; to be with Filomela; to make sure Signe grew up safely” (432). This prompts another discussion about Straka’s decision not to be with Filomela. Once again, Jen protests his decision, emphatically stating with an underline that “They should have been together. The 3 of them” (432). This further demonstrates just how important being together with those whom you care about is to Jen.