The Floating Opera

Done with writing, Todd traverses the lobby of the Dorset Hotel. He considers giving himself more time to think about his developing life philosophy: “Ideally, a new philosophical position, like a new rowboat, should be allowed to sit a day or two at the dock, to let the seams swell tight, before it’s put to any strenuous application” (229). He runs into Capt. Osborn, and they walk together to the boat show.

Capt. Osborn remarks that Mister Haecker looks depressed recently. Todd asks where Haecker is, but Capt. Osborn hasn’t seen him since the morning. They continue walking, Capt. Osborn holding onto Todd as they descend the steps of the hotel. Walking with Capt. Osborn, Todd feels he can’t back down from his intentions to commit suicide: “As a boatwright might examine his craft for leaks, with considerable interest if little real anxiety, so I examined myself. Can he be called a builder who shies at launching the finished hull? For what other purpose was it finished?” (229). 

Todd and Capt. Osborn attend the Floating Opera. Hundreds gather around the docked showboat to buy tickets or catch a glimpse of the theatrics. Todd sees Harrison, Jane, and Jeannine, but they don’t cross paths.