Where We're At: Part 3.10: Bilocations

Dally

• The Zombinis have been a big hit across Europe. They arrive in Venice and Dally decides to live there forever--it's what she's been looking for.
• Vincenzo Miserere is the sales rep from the mirror factory on Isola degli Specchi. Luca is descended from a mirrormaker Niccolo Zombini, who escaped (hard to do then) from the Isola around 1660. At the mirror factory Professor Svegli shows Luca and Bria the master drawing for the paramorphoscope; apparently Niccolo brought one with him when he escaped. The paramorphoscope is similar to the device Luca's been using in his act--the one that produced doubled people. (The doubles are actually the original subjects, slightly displaced in time.) The doubles can't be eradicated-- they've all moved on with their own independent lives.
• Dally earns a living doing magic tricks, card tricks. She meets English painter Hunter Penhallow (who we last saw stowing away with the Voromance Expedition) and becomes his agent and model. Hunter's seeking refuge from time, from the end of World War I. He's finding traces of consciousness of previous occupants of his cheap hotel room. (Dally's sleeping outside.) He tells her a story from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas--"It's redemption, isn't it, you expect chaos, you get order instead. Unmet expectations. Miracles." Winter's coming; Hunter arranges for Dally to room at the palazzo of the Principessa Spongiatosta, an acquaintance.
• Bria comes to town to visit Dally.
• Dally meets Hunter's artist friend Andrea Tancredi. He's been painting infernal machines, what is hell.

(p. 587)