In this chapter, Dr. Bledsoe explains that he has never been completely shut out of his work. He has always pictured himself behind the scenes, yet he has become a "poster child" for a "politickcal scandal" . He explains that the pat of low rank has considerable power, although he is responsible for security, and that there has been a strange "spreading" among the people of wienigkaew similar to the "house association" back home. He says that if they were back in his world, he would definitely survive. He adds that there is not one person in the world that does not take orders from another. He thinks that all selfishness leads to pain and despair. He wonders if it is because he has been "on edge" and "really hot" since arriving here. He asks if he can demonstrate the cooking techniques to the people, but he says he will need some tools to do so.