- Jan may be living in utopia, but despite his more-or-less charmed life, he's hardly satisfied with it. Also, he just lost his lady love, and that always stings.
- History snack: Clarke makes a big deal over the fact that Jan is an African-American. But let's remember this book was published in 1953—a time when schools were still segregated and the Civil Rights Movement hadn't even formally begun—so it is a big deal that Jan is African-American.
- Jan wants to go into space, but the Overlords have restricted mankind from doing so.
- As if adding insult to injury, he watches as an Overlord ship takes off near the constellation Carina, heading back to its world.
- Jan returns to the party.
- Rupert gathers Jan, George, Jean, his wife, and the Shoenbergers for a go at his high-class Ouija board; Rashaverak decides to just watch.
- They start asking questions like ten-year-old girls at a slumber party and communicate with some presence. When Rupert asks who it is, the answer is "'IAMALL'" (8.49).
- George tries to manipulate the next few questions but finds he is unable to sway the entire group with his subtle gestures.
- The group is about to wrap up its session, so Rupert says there is time for one more question.
- Jan suddenly jumps in and asks where the Overlords' world is. The board spells back "NGS 549672" (8.87).
- Jean faints.