MD3PAD 21-24

[Toby G Levy]

        Mason asks the dog if it is a reincarnation of a human soul. The
dog replies it will not answer religious questions, but offers an
explanation of it's ability to talk as a way of appearing more human and
therefore less likely to be eaten due to man's abhorrence of cannibalism.

vw#5: preternatural (spelled praeternatural in the old style of the
book) - beyond the natural course of nature; extraordinary.

        A Lunarian (meaning night person, perhaps?) takes offense to the
dog's lecture on dog behavior and challenges the dog to a fight. The
Lunarian, named Derek, reaches for his "hanger" which I assume is some
kind of blade, hanging from his waist. The dog tries to scare him off
with a hint that he might have rabies.

vw#6: hydrophobia - rabies

        The "exhibitors" of the dog show up to break up the possible
fight. They are Mr. and Mrs. Jellows, whom the dog calls "the fabulous
Jellows."

        Dixon notices a bar named "The Pearl of Sumatra"  and persuades
the dog and the Jellows to go inside with Mason and Dixon. Some of the
crowd including Bodine accompany them in. The dog tells them his name is
"Fang."

        In the back of the bar there is an arena set up for cockfighting
and a match is in progress. The smell of chicken blood draws the dog
toward the arena.

Toby