XXIX: Scopolamine for Satan explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Duality of Self

  The scopolamine injection triggers the emergence of Nick's demonic alter ego, highlighting the internal battle between his human and monstrous selves.

• Science vs. Superstition

  Horker uses a scientific drug (scopolamine) to confront what appears to be a supernatural possession, blending rational method with irrational phenomena.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Pat's refusal to abandon Nick and her plea for Horker's help demonstrate her sacrificial love, even as she faces the horror of his condition.

Characters to notice

• Patricia Lane

  Pat is emotionally frayed, alternating between defiance, despair, and hope. She refuses to leave Nick despite Horker's insistence, pleading for him to help.

• Nicholas Devine

  Nick is passive and miserable, having dashed the poison from Pat's hand. He submits to Horker's scopolamine injection, and his demonic aspect surfaces under the drug.

• Dr. Carl Horker

  Horker arrives angrily to rescue Pat, but relents and agrees to use scopolamine to probe Nick's subconscious. He prepares the injection and initiates the procedure.

• The Other

  The demonic entity emerges as Nick's eyes turn ruddy under the influence of scopolamine, speaking in icy tones.

• Mueller

  Mueller is mentioned as the source from whom Horker obtained Nick's address.

Key passages

• “The glass was struck from Pat’s hand, and the water-clear contents streamed into pools and darkening blots over the table and its litter of papers.”

  Nick knocked the glass of poison out of Pat's hand, spilling it across the table.

  Nick prevents Pat from drinking the poison, interrupting their suicide pact.

• ““I can’t let you, Pat!” he muttered, answering her unspoken query.”

  Nick said he couldn't allow her to go through with it.

  Nick explains his intervention, showing his protective side.

• ““It’s that illusion of hope again,” she murmured. “That’s all it is, Nick⁠—and it means now that it’s all to do over again!””

  Pat bitterly called hope an illusion, dreading having to endure everything again.

  Pat expresses despair at the prospect of continuing their struggle.

• ““Where’s Pat?” The words drifted up in low, rumbling, ominous tones.”

  Dr. Horker's deep voice demanded to know Pat's whereabouts.

  Horker arrives at the door, searching for Pat.

• ““I spent nearly the whole night doing it,” he growled at last. “It took me hours to locate Mueller and get this address from him.””

  Horker said he had spent the night tracking down Mueller to find Nick's address.

  Horker reveals the effort he made to rescue Pat.

• ““You come up like a hero to the rescue!” she taunted the doctor. “Hairbreadth Horker!””

  Pat sarcastically mocked Horker as a last-minute hero.

  Pat's frayed nerves lead her to lash out at Horker.