Chapter 4 Summary

Richard dogs Shimoda about how he knows so much and what formal training a Master needs. Shimoda produces a copy of the Savior's Manual - officially, the Messiah's Manual & Reminders for the Advanced Souls, a small suede-bound book of maxims. Richard leafs through it, reading about Perspective. Shimoda cannot recall this passage about being a messiah involving a horrible death. That is not obligatory, and Shimoda is unaware if this awaits him. It seems pointless now that he has quit being a Messiah, so he may just ascend in a few weeks once his task is complete. Richard does not realize Shimoda is being serious and reads on about being true to oneself and teaching best what one most needs to learn.

Shimoda observes Richard is being quiet but does not himself want to be distracted from reading about living in such a...