"The Evacuation still proceeds..." GR Part 1 Section 1

[jbor at bigpond.com]

> But it might be an idea to consider the waking part of the opening 
> section, with its mix of scene setting, slapstick and 
> characterisation. It's much more straightforward and realistic than 
> what precedes it, and it does fill in quite a bit of information about 
> the dream sequence.

This, for example, as Pirate notices the rocket's vapor trail and 
begins to realise what it is:

	  What is it? Nothing like this ever happens. But Pirate knows, it
	after all. He has seen it in a film, just in the last fortnight . . . 
(p. 6)

Cf. "It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to 
now." (p. 3)

The similarities in vocabulary provide possibilities for interpretation 
here I think.

And then Pirate wonders if he should call the operations room, run out 
into the street, warn others, but stops himself -- "no: no time really" 
(p. 7)

Cf. "it is too late." (p. 3)

best