Didier tells Lin about his past. He was born in Marseilles but claims his soul emerged in Genova at age 16. His mother died of influenza at 19 when he was one. His father was an academic. Didier describes himself as his father’s only failure because he was not a good student. He left at 16 and met a man named Rinaldo in Genova. Rinaldo became his lover and mentor. Didier stole money from Rinaldo and ran away. He saw Rinaldo again 16 years later. Rinaldo was sick, and Didier passed him by without speaking to him, which is his greatest shame in a “wicked life” (547). His reason for not stopping was that Rinaldo was no longer beautiful.

Lin leaves on his new bike and meets Lisa at the Sea Rock Hotel. Lisa introduces him to Kalpana. She is a casting agent and an assistant to a movie producer. She wants him to help her find extras. They need four foreigners for the next day’s shoot. Lin offers the tasks to Lisa, and she accepts. The next day, Lin watches a musical number on a Bollywood movie set. He sees Indian politician Kavita Singh as he leaves. Lin asks her to write a piece on the slum’s first murder.