There is an imperceptible change from tsimtsum to tikun. Yesterday Magritude Feather appeared and released Sevalanz and Emelda, who stumbled off to complain to the lorry driver, who moved forward to the parking bay, thus ensuring Kolya’s safety. Yumble, unable to use his mobile crossed the roundabout and bumped into Indrek who he directed towards the Mews where he was welcomed by Felix. As a result, today the players in the grand drama have been disarmed, and all is well. Prigentia’s dreams of retaliation are dissolved. For now she is distraught, but in time, with the help of the young Kimrock she will realise that things happen, and all is for the best in the best of all possible gardens.
Tomorrow is the culmination of Prigentia’s plan of revenge. Everything is unfolding in exactly the manner that Loretta Garsten-Manir predicted. Indrek Karlosoroff is lost on the way to make peace with Felix and Frab. Sevelanz Grimple and Emelda Bush are still tied to the Great Elm (in protest), Hamentash Yumble stands by the roundabout trying to get a signal on his mobile phone, and infant genius Kolya Quinine is unknowingly walking into mortal danger by toddling along behind the articulated lorry that is unloading crates of non-Iftic beer at McGonagall’s. All is set for the final disaster. But suddenly in the midst of Oud Ramonides’ Reikarian Meditation there is a shift in the amplification of the gigul, and all changes.
Of all people, it is Zebedee Thurlough who finally manages to arrange an interim cease-fire in the sudden war between the Karlosoroff brothers. Felix promises that if Indrek is prepared to visit and apologise, then he will forgive him. Looking into her crystal onion, Prigentia is alarmed. The feared but necessary shvirah is threatened. Fratricidal warfare is essential for the fulfillment of the Ptolomaic prediction. By weaving a few infinitesimal calculations she throws into confusion Indrek’s normally accurate navigational sense. The ether quivers. All that remains now is to sacrifice an innocent child. For this Prigentia’s thoughts turn to the infant genius, Kolya. Meanwhile the residents of Seven Dials are only dimly aware of the portentous dangers that face them.
Lucien Jung has proposed a grand day of demonstrations against Irrational Superstitions. At first there is grand indifference to the plan, until the rumour spreads that he includes amongst his targets the Lurian Gilgul. The coordinator of the Seven Dials Ladies’ Kabbala Tsimtsum Circle arranges an emergency convention, and it is agreed that Sevelanz Grimple and Emelda Bush will spearhead a protest. As the clock strikes seven, their colleagues securely tie the two veteran activists to the gnarled trunk of the Great Elm, with thick ropes spun from Holy Hemp. Confronted by intricate knots that were devised by the ancient magi, the local community policewoman Sergeant Alicia Drublick is unable to release them. A crowd assembles to watch the action.
Something is disturbing the equilibrium in the mystical world of Rabbi Oud Ramonides. He is browsing through two books, the one that his daughter Kugarita has given to his son (the Idiot’s Guide to Macrame Theory), and Frab’s Illustrated Reikarian Meditation. The latter looks more relevant. He resolves to practice the essential meditation exercises for twenty minutes each day until the perturbations are resolved and the direction of the tikun corrected. Meanwhile at Little Porrit, the nuns’ at the Cruxicogentian Retreat are arranging a Giggle (Sister Berberabilia who is slightly hard of hearing) misheard one of Oud’s weekly lectures about Kabbala. Over time the Giggle will acquire a life of its own, and become a national tradition, like a Ceilidh.
Prigentia finalises her plans and predictions. The Ptolomaic charts of Eusebius have made explicit the cognitive and field force links between the Mamre Oak and the Great Elm (the ladies of the Seven Dials Ladies’ Kabbala Tsimtsum Circle would appreciate this). From this, four events are necessary. The forces of belief will be opposed by the forces of reason. Two women will be bound forever to the tree of energy. Strife will strengthen between brothers. The last requisite is the sacrifice of an infant genius. Prigentia casts her final spells, and utters the fateful incantations, then she goes to the local Coffee Republic for a latte and porridge. As she has a fully stamped loyalty card, her coffee is free.
Time moves on relentlessly. Frab pleads with Felix to go easy on Indrek. He offers him extra reikarian therapy time but Felix is adamant. He does not show Frab the crumpled letter he received from Prigentia stirring up the issue with her interpretation of Indrek's comment. She warns that Indrek is trying to undermine his brother's relationship. To Felix, who is undoubtedly over sensitive, this is only too plausible. This was the case since they were children. So Prigentia's plan unwinds as planned. Again we recall Tom Stearns' observation that what we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. Prigentia certainly hopes so.
