The Nine Billion Names of God

We return to the White Hart pub for another Harry Purvis tall tale. He tells the bar patrons about a scientist named Professor Julian who invents a machine that can record and play back brainwaves. This makes it possible for someone to experience the exact same physical sensations in their own body over and over again. Professor Julian’s assistant, Georges, sees the potential for getting rich off of this invention. He goes behind the Professor’s back and sets up a meeting with Le Baron, “the most famous gourmet in France” (224). He sets up Le Baron with the finest meal possible and records his sensations as he eats. After this successful recording, Georges realizes the vast potential: He could record connoisseurs and experts from all fields as they enjoy something, then sell these experiences for the layperson to enjoy.

Georges does an experiment with his girlfriend, Yvette: He records them while having sex. When he plays back the recording, he cannot distinguish between it and the real thing: “[A]t that moment something approaching religious awe overcame Georges” (226). He realizes that if he wants to sell this, he will need to record professionals having sex. So, he approaches a male and female prostitute and hires them to have sex all night long while he records.