Chapter 5 Summary

Vasu's killing spree continues, and each day Nataraj watches as the taxidermist removes dead carcasses from his jeep and carries them to his upstairs apartment. Nataraj reflects on his youth, when he lived in a peaceful house where killing even the smallest creature was looked down upon. His granduncle used to give him money each day in order to purchase sugar to feed the ants that lived in the family house. Nataraj cannot think of a manner in which to evict Vasu, so he asks Sen for his advice. The journalist says that he should ask Vasu to leave. Kavi, the poet, and Nataraj's wife have the same advice.

Nataraj waits for the proper time to address Vasu about this issue, and he pins a note to Vasu's door, asking to see him. When Vasu arrives, Nataraj tells him that he must vacate...