Chapter 11 of 26 · Book 2, Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Chapter 11 — The pitch

Book: Carl's Doomsday Scenario · Previous: Chapter 10 — The big top · Next: Chapter 12 — Mongo holds the pyramid · Floor: Floor 3 — The Over City · Series: the series

Opening

I waited a few moments to see if there was any sort of sign that the city boss was sick.

Summary

The pitch. Through Zev, Carl addresses the producers of Vengeance of the Daughter: he knows this is Signet's origin story, that the third pole is popsicle sticks, that he is expected to die. He offers to be a regular — exclusive to their sixth-floor quests — if he and Donut survive, or he will heal the vine and narrate his theories to it all night. Thirty seconds. They agree. He heals the vine.

Then he eats a cone of worms with Wisp Armor up, walks out of the tent with Grimaldi in his head, and brokers a reconciliation: Signet and Grimaldi both want the family free. 'I have un-banished you, my love,' Grimaldi says through Carl's mouth, and Carl vomits worms onto the ground as Signet goes inside. Quest complete; level 18; the memory of little sapling trees his mother planted. Then Mordecai: Donut's health just dropped below 20%.

Characters

• Carl — The negotiation; the worms; the seeds.
• Ringmaster Grimaldi — Speaks through Carl; un-banishes Signet.
• Tsarina Signet — Enters the tent; 'Thank you, Carl.'
• Zev — Signs on his behalf: 'That's terrifying, Zev.'
• Apollon the Mighty — Hands over the cone.

Locations

• Grimaldi's Traveling Circus — The tent flap, and the last hint of the smell.

Motifs

• Vengeance of the Daughter — Carl contracts with it.
• Seeds — 'All it takes is a little seed'
• Entertainment as machinery — Leverage: ratings for a life.