Summary

The scene changes to “West Virginia … An extremely quiet valley in the Appalachians, noon Eastern time ...” (25). Several men arrive at an old farmhouse. One of them is Lord Basil Seal. Several of the men are apparently agents for the CIA. An agent named Gene is standing on his head, leaning against a wall. Another man says that Gene has been acting like that all day. And indicates that Gene is not the only person exhibiting bizarre behavior.

Lord Seal asks for an update. Two agents, Jack and Frankie, say the situation defies explanation. Jack says that “anyone who, in one capacity or another, had their finger close to the big red kaboom button” has experienced a breakdown (27). Frankie says those in better shape are showing bizarre behavior, such as that shown by Gene. The men show...