CoL49 - Group Read End of Book

[J K Van Nort]

We've come to the last section of the book and the group read. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Summary:
Oedipa wonders if she is pregnant but after making an appointment to get tested as Grace Bortz, she skips the appointment. Ghengis Cohen brings her materials that include an article plausibly explaining how the Trystero left the European continent and began to set up shop in the U.S. Several examples of Trystero subtle stamp alterations are mentioned. Bortz thinks that the article is possible, considering the way the USPS had monopolized by lower prices the postal business. He tells her to find out its legitimacy. She continues to have toothaches and strange dreams. Cohen calls to say that Pierce's stamp collection will be auctioned off, and the Trystero stamps will be part of Lot 49. he says a mystery book bidder had signed up for the auction and asked to see Lot 49. They were denied because they refused to identify themselves. Cohen believes that this is Trystero, attempting to reclaim the stamps. Oedipa gets drunk on bourbon and drives through the night without headlights. She finally comes to a stop, and uses a payphone to call the Greek Way, asking for the IA. He finally comes to the phone but leaves her with a cryptic "it's too late". While walking along a RR track, Oed considers that Pierce has actually died, that his efforts to use the will to extend his life or harass her have failed, and he is gone. She goes over the whole period since she first began to unravel Pierce's will and legacy. She compares it to America and thinks that if that is America, that she will feel like an alien. The next day she calls the firm that is representing the mystery bidder who informs her that the buyer will now be attending the auction. She meets Cohen there, who wants to try to buy some Mozambique triangles. He notes that a premier auctioneer will be crying the lots. He explains that crying of lots is how auctioneers describe the process of auctioning. She goes into the auction room, wondering how she'll respond if she sees the Trystero representative, hears the doors locked and watches as the auctioneer prepares to cry the auction.

Questions
At one point in her walk along the RR tracks, Oedipa discusses the "excluded middle" where she knows "bad shit happens". How does this relate to David's premise that the book is about "What is Reality?"?

Why does Oedipa consider Pierce's empire and the will as America? Why does this make her feel like an alien?

What has been revealed by Oedipa's efforts?

Why does the IA say that he is the one who's time is up?

In solidarity,
James

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