Mitch dials into Livermore to report on the deteriorating situation at the St. Francis — and Jocasta posits the idea of using a live action “play” to re-establish consensus reality.

Roger lets the Devil out.

Sophie and Charley visit the Cyclotron Building at Berkeley to discover what Carl and Richie were up to. They also have a pretty serious conversation about dreams and Project loyalty.

“But I have to say they weren't my cup of tea, Abeille's books, I mean everything in them is all … squishy and strange, you know? Plus I think she's misread B.F. Skinner.”

Roger and Mitch corral a catatonic Rich to safety, and enlist Viv in managing the fallout of the ikoter blast.

URIEL figures out Carl and Richie’s nefarious plan • Mitch and Roger race to apprehend them • And get blasted through the door by an ersatz ikoter-shotgun • Jocasta takes Andy into involuntary protective custody • Viv gives her keynote speech and reading from her new book • The crowd loves it (they have no choice, she uses NLP) • Mitch and Roger get to the con floor too late • It all goes to shit

Mitch sits down for the St. Francis Hotel’s famous continental breakfast and bumps into Richie Talbot.

Jocasta hits the streets, receives minimal catcalls, and discovers a commemorative metal plaque from another timeline affixed to the foundation of the St. Francis.

“Morgan le Fay is here, and she looks like Charley's birth mom but nine feet tall, with great black iridescent raven's wings rising above her graceful bare shoulders. ‘Wake up, dear heart. A new world is coming, and you and your Kings are powerless to stop it.’”

URIEL steals a really fancy clock made by gnomes.

Viv finds herself drawn to a suite party hosted by Marshall’s Special Ones.

Roger infiltrates the ranks of the St. Francis’ staff • Jocasta briefly tours her first sci-fi convention • It’s not her scene • Mitch sets up audio surveillance for Viv and Andy’s suite • Archie, Andy, and Viv attend a VIP party • Archie and Andy meet, and have a strange conversation • The field team, plus Charley, evaluate the Magneta Clock

Archie and Charley drive home after a long day, and Charley reveals how she got her nickname.

Sophie presents her findings on the Magneta Clock and URIEL prepares for insertion at the St. Francis Hotel on the eve of Westercon ‘73.

Mitch flags Archie down for a discussion about metaphysics and the war against History B over some breakfast cereal.