At the end of this section there's a turn of events that have gotten me a little more involved in the plot of the whole novel. I'm talking about Arly's assumption of a new motivation. This, to me, is the most interesting thread in the novel so far, and I almost wish that Doctorow had focussed on this to the exclusion of some of the other side characters.It also, for me, clarifies a great deal about Arly's character. He's clearly intelligent, savvy and clever. It also seems apparant that he's sincere about his religious convictions, and in particular he believes himself to be the receptacle for divine transmissions of some sort. So far, Doctorow hasn't portrayed him as a dangerous maniac, although it seems clear to me that the plan he's fixed on is something along the lines of an assassination. Maybe Doctorow will frustrate my expectations on that point. We'll see. Any thoughts?