Klara and the Sun

Klara, Josie, and Chrissy are in a “Friend’s Apartment” (181) in the city, waiting for Paul, who is Josie’s father and Chrissy’s ex-husband. Paul arrives in a taxi and embraces Josie. He gives her a reversible mirror, made by a friend “in the community” (186). Paul asks Josie about her tutors, and Chrissy makes Paul say “hello” to Klara. Chrissy and Paul are curt with each other. They leave the apartment together in Chrissy’s car.

Chrissy and Paul talk about Chrissy’s job, and Paul says he’s satisfied without one: “I think the substitutions were the best thing that happened to me” (189). Paul is also suspicious of Mr. Capaldi. They pass the location of the AF store, but it’s been replaced. Klara spots the Cootings Machine nearby. They keep driving and arrive at Mr. Capaldi’s studio. Chrissy tells Mr. Capaldi she wants to see Josie’s unfinished portrait, and he brings her to a room upstairs. Klara notices a disturbance in Chrissy’s composure when she comes back downstairs. Mr. Capaldi then asks Klara to take a survey for his research and leads her to a room with a computerized test system.