Discussion Five – Infinite Jest - Page 418 - 491

[Jim]

This discussion covers Page 418 – 491

Begins: “30 APRIL / 1 MAY YEAR OF THE DEPEND ADULT UNDERGARMENT
Marathe did not quite sleep.”

Marathe probes Steeply’s belief systems using the old ‘soupe aux pois’ technique, but its efficacy is très limitées. Clipperton stops by E.T.A. for guidance, but ultimately opts for a self de-mapping instead. Stavros and Gately shovel shit. After a brief interlude about the perils of mixing achievement and Nesquick, Mario’s puppets reenact the birth of Subsidized Time. Gately shares his frustration with Step 3 of 12, so BOB DEATH tells him the one about the fish (What the fuck is water?). Later that night, bimmy gets in touch with Sir Osis of Thuliver. Missing Madame Psychosis messes with Mario’s mind. Dawn drills a perk for top ETA players? Peut-être. More Gately/Montesian/Ennet House/higher power stuff, plus cake directions. Pre-dawn, still standing on a desert outcropping, Steeply probes Marathe about p-terminals and cages. Gately takes the Aventura for a spin and les frères Antitoi hear the squeak. Steeply asks Marathe, “aren’t you curious?”


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