Chapter 66 Summary: 11:23 Mid-Atlantic Time Zone
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens mid-flight, 37 minutes before "dragonedy o'clock." Van murmurs "It has to be me," and Allie realizes he is not speaking to her. The narrative then flashes back several months.
Allie recalls how Van overheard her phone conversation with Mona, a woman she had kissed after accepting his engagement ring. When Van disappeared for two days, Allie feared he had harmed himself. He returned with a cocaine habit and dried blood. When they finally talked, Van revealed he had long suspected her attraction to women; he offered to be her "cover story" so she could please her parents. Allie tried to prove her heterosexuality through sex, but their relationship frayed. A night at a Suede concert with Donna, who resembled Van, led to Allie dancing intimately with Donna while Van was backstage. Later at home, Allie initiated sex, but Van pushed her away. In the stairwell, he asked "What's my name, Allie?"—unable to meet her eyes. A physical struggle sent Van falling down the stairs, injuring him. The engagement ended, and Allie retreated to New Rochelle.
Back in the present, Allie tells Van that "us" is a dangerous weapon. Van moves toward the lavatory, but flight attendant Albert Shook blocks him. Allie takes Robin's corkscrew and walks to the upper deck. She hesitates to stab Horation when she finds him. Horation reports seeing King Sorrow in a lightning flash. They discuss the holy well and Arthur's dragon theory. Allie claims Van is her knight. Horation accuses her of lying just as Frank Heck appears with a gun.
Key Events
- Allie recalls Van overhearing her phone call with Mona and his subsequent disappearance.
- Van returns after two days, disheveled and high; he offers to be Allie's "cover story" for a marriage of convenience.
- A night at a Suede concert with Donna triggers Allie's repressed desires and Van's withdrawal.
- Van falls down a stairwell during a confrontation with Allie, ending their engagement.
- On the plane, Allie insists "us" is a powerful force, but Van moves toward the galley and is blocked by Shook.
- Allie takes a corkscrew, sneaks to the upper deck, and hesitates to kill Horation.
- Horation reveals he saw King Sorrow and still believes the holy well will work.
- Frank Heck appears at the top of the stairs with a gun, confronting Allie and Horation.
Character Development
- Allie (Allison Shiner): The flashback reveals her deep internal conflict about her sexuality, her shame from conversion therapy, and her willingness to live a lie to avoid disappointing her parents. Her hesitation to stab Horation shows her moral struggle with direct violence, contrasting with her past role in a gang that kills from a distance.
- Van: His acceptance of Allie's orientation ("it's okay. You like girls and it's okay") and his offer to be her shield demonstrate a selfless, protective love, but also his own pain and self-destructive tendencies (cocaine, near-fall). On the plane, he seems resolute to act ("It has to be me").
- Horation: Calm and perceptive, he sees through Allie's lies, comparing her to his daughters. He is focused on King Sorrow and the holy well, still believing in his mission despite the danger.
- Robin Fellows: A supportive editor who senses something is wrong and questions Allie about the corkscrew. Her courage in being her authentic self (as a transgender woman) inspires Allie, though Allie admits she would rather stay in a unhappy marriage than embrace her true identity.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Identity and Self-Deception: Allie's entire history with Van revolves around suppressing her attraction to women. She prays for forgiveness, attends conversion therapy, and marries Van as a "cover story." The chapter explores the cost of living a lie.
- Bravery vs. Hesitation: Allie's inability to stab Horation echoes Hamlet's indecision. She reflects that killing from a distance is easy, but face-to-face violence is almost impossible. Robin's courage in being a woman contrasts with Allie's fear.
- The Ouroboros / Aurora Borealis: Allie once confused the aurora with the ouroboros, a symbol of cycles and self-consumption. This imagery hints at the destructive patterns in her life and the approaching dragon ("dragonedy o'clock").
- The Holy Well and Dragon Theories: Arthur's idea that all good stories are instruction manuals for slaying dragons underpins the narrative. Horation's belief in the well, and Allie's claim that Van is her knight, reinforce the mythic framework.
Why This Chapter Matters
- Backstory and Motivation: The extended flashback explains why Allie and Van are on the plane together and why their relationship is strained yet loyal. It deepens Allie's character, showing her tragic compromise and the unresolved tension with her sexuality.
- Raising the Stakes: The countdown of 37 minutes and the sighting of King Sorrow create urgency. Allie's failure to strike Horation sets up a more dangerous confrontation later.
- Thematic Core: The chapter crystallizes the book's exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the gap between intention and action. Allie's internal battle mirrors the external battle against King Sorrow.
Study Questions
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What does Van's offer to be Allie's "cover story" reveal about his character and their relationship?
Answer: Van shows profound love and self-sacrifice, willing to live a false marriage to protect Allie from her parents. It also reveals his own despair: he has already disappointed his father and sees no better option. The offer, while generous, traps both of them in an unsustainable arrangement that eventually breaks down. -
Why does Allie hesitate to stab Horation with the corkscrew? What does this hesitation say about her?
Answer: Allie reflects that killing from a distance (as her gang does) is easy, but direct violence requires a different kind of nerve. She compares herself to Hamlet, unable to commit the act. This hesitation shows her humanity and moral conflict, but also her weakness—she cannot become the knight Arthur suggested she find. -
How does Robin's question "How did you have the courage to be a woman?" affect Allie? What does Allie's response reveal about her state of mind?
Answer: Allie envies Robin's authenticity but admits she would rather stay in a miserable marriage than embrace her true self. Her answer shows she still views her sexuality as a flaw to be suppressed, and that she lacks the courage to face her identity—a key internal obstacle she must overcome.