| The “Mission” |
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| Emily and Julian awake “inspired” for their “mission,” which is the pre-mortal way of saying they need showers. They feel reminiscent leaving their training shack in the prairie. Julian falls of his horse as they prepare to depart. |
| Emily and Julian travel vast distances through spectacular varieties of terrain only possible in a dream. They discuss the possible failure of their “mission” and succumbing to Satan, and Julian says, “I would rather be born than live my life in bondage.” They arrive at the Bills. |
| H.D. Logic discusses the significance of the Bills as “spirits, places, and profanities.” Regular Bill outlines the strategy to steal Satan’s Plan, which involves Emily and Julian leading separate small squads to locate Satan’s Army and then a fiery serpent attack. Wild Bill contradicts Regular Bill’s lodgings, appearance, demeanor, and instructions. |
| Emily and Julian meet their squads of volunteers. Each of the five members of Julian’s squad are named John. H.D. Logic explains that the dream always introduces them individually: John Leftover craves attention; John Takeover wants to be in charge; John Underover is an intellectual; John Holdover commits to a plan; John Hungover is cantankerous. Julian commits to the Johns that he will do his best. |
| Emily and Julian say goodbye, certain it will be their last, renewing their promises to remember each other. They set off with their squads in opposite directions circling around the mountains to locate Satan’s Army. |
| A thunderstorm drenches Julian’s squad. The squad debates the battle plan and whether to follow the fiery serpents into Satan’s Army (Regular Bill’s plan) or use them as a diversion (Wild Bill’s plan). They locate a Division of Satan’s Army of about 10,000 Angels. The squad debates whether they are supposed to call for the fiery serpents. Julian decides against it and proceeds with the attack. The squad sees fiery serpents above making their way down the mountainside. |
| John Takeover sends John Leftover to create another diversion to confuse Satan’s Army, but it confuses the fiery serpents who to appear turn straight for Julian. In the confusion, John Takeover is nated by a serpent. Satan’s Army alerts to the attack. John Leftover charges into Satan’s Army but is nated. Julian and the remaining three Johns follow the fiery serpents into the main force of Satan’s Army but cannot maintain their pace. The attack fails and the serpents are all nated, with the last snake leading Julian and the Johns in retreat before giving birth itself (pre-mortal for “dying”). |
| Julian and the Johns retreat to a small hollow (nearly a cave) in the wilderness. Julian is despondent to have failed to obtain Satan’s Plan and for the loss of life. He worries about Emily. He resolves to try again tomorrow. |
