Chapter Five, which is is titled, “Down, and Out,” begins with a description of the cave that Corbeau, Pfeifer, and Ostrero found. The cave is by a small stream and overlooks the hills through which the group has traversed. The opening to the cave can be covered by a large boulder, which should offer them some protection.

In a footnote FXC writes that chapter five “draws heavily” from Straka’s The Painted Cave. She writes that Straka sent her a letter along with the manuscript, in which Straka wrote that writing The Painting Cave gave him “numerous revelations–every page, every line, every word­–which made me feel as if there were an unseen hand guiding me, showing me my story and where to go.”

Eric writes that no such letter exists, and that FXC did not work with Straka until years later.

Jen wonders why FXC would lie about the letter. Later, Jen suggests that FXC knew exactly what she was doing.

Eric realizes that Jen has figured out a code associated with the footnotes.

Eric writes that the original manuscript of Ship of Theseus had no number matrix. He asks Jen to double-check just to be sure. Here Eric is relying on Jen’s research skills once more.

Jen confirms that the manuscript had no number matrix. She suggests that FXC must have added it, and that it must be part of a code.

Eric writes that he will be back from Brazil on the 23^rd. This is an important piece of marginalia because the reader rarely knows when the events of S. are occurring.

Jen writes that she is going to work on some of the codes while Eric is gone. She then wonders why she wrote that in the book, as Eric is gone and won’t she her margin notes until he gets back. She continues to write her thoughts on the page, explaining that writing in the book is comforting. Not only have Jen and Eric developed a relationship with one another, but they have, in a way, developed a deep relationship with the book they are writing on. Even though Eric is in Brazil, Jen is comforted by the mere act of writing, of putting her thoughts on the page.