This chapter takes place at Albert and Enid’s house in St. Jude over the Christmas holiday. Enid is delighted that Chip has plans to visit, although her other two children counsel her not to get her hopes up. Enid busies herself with holiday preparations, while Alfred hides out in the basement. Alfred is recuperating from his near-fatal accident and regrets his will to live, which has left him dependent and incapacitated. He has brought out a hunting gun, with the vague intent of using it on himself.

Gary is the first of the Lambert children to arrive. He arrives alone, although he has told Enid that Jonah will be coming with him. He tells Enid, falsely, that Jonah has a fever. In fact, Jonah has been manipulated into staying home by Caroline, who has plied him with a new video game. Gary has kept other secrets from his parents as well. Enid had hoped to obtain a fresh supply of Aslan from her neighbor Bea Meisner, who has a daughter and a pharmacist son-in-law in Austria. However, Gary intercepts Bea with her gifts, is made suspicious by the package of Aslan, and decides to keep it from Enid. Gary also has not told his parents that he has made a lot of money by investing in the Axon Corporation.