The Cosmic Computer · Chapter
XXII explained
It is autumn again, the second autumn since Conn returned to Litchfield.
What happens
It is autumn again, the second autumn since Conn returned to Litchfield. The house is crowded with guests from Litchfield, Storisende, and Koshchei for a wedding rehearsal. Conn and Sylvie discuss their own wedding plans, deciding on a double wedding. Rodney Maxwell steers political talk toward Kurt Fawzi as a presidential candidate. Old enemies Klem Zareff and Mike Shanlee are now friends. The chapter ends with Conn and Sylvie going to retrieve his father for the rehearsal.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Decline and Revival
The chapter shows a booming economy with big melon crops, new vats, factory jobs off-planet, and rising wages, contrasting with earlier poverty.
Deception and Leadership
Rodney Maxwell orchestrates a political push for Kurt Fawzi, referencing the 'Travis Hoax' and the manipulation of public perception.
Characters to notice
- Conn Maxwell
Attending the wedding rehearsal, discussing his own wedding with Sylvie, and going to fetch his father.
- Sylvie Jacquemont
Conn's fiancée, suggesting a double wedding and accompanying Conn to get Rodney Maxwell.
- Rodney Maxwell
Hosting the gathering, steering political talk to Kurt Fawzi, and needed for the wedding rehearsal.
- Kurt Fawzi
Present in Rodney's office, being promoted as a presidential candidate by Rodney.
- Yves Jacquemont
Sylvie's father, wearing a Trisystem & Interstellar Spacelines uniform, joking with Conn.
- Colonel Klem Zareff
Chatting with Mike Shanlee about the big melon crop and labor issues.
Key passages
““Well, you have to admit, if he hadn’t ordered the banks and the Stock Exchange closed that time, we’d have had a horrible panic—””
A guest defends Jake Vyckhoven's past actions in closing banks and the Stock Exchange to prevent a panic.
Discussion of political figures and the Travis Hoax.
““Here’s the man most responsible for finding Merlin; the man who first suggested sending my son Conn to Terra to school, the man who, more than anyone else, devoted his life to the search for Merlin, the man whose inextinguishable faith and indomitable courage kept that search alive through its darkest hours.””
Rodney Maxwell publicly praises Kurt Fawzi as the key figure behind the discovery of Merlin.
Rodney's toast launching Fawzi's political campaign.