The Transitions III

"Esau."

Van Rijn to Dalmady:

"'You wonder why I tell you what you know, ha?'" (p. 523)

We know that he is really telling us, of course. But the intra-narrative reason for van Rijn's apparently redundant speech is that van Rijn needs Dalmady to confirm that van Rijn has understood Dalmady's experience, and actions, on Suleiman:

"'Has I been correct so far?'" (p. 524)

Dalmady responds:

"'Yes,' Dalmady said. 'But -'" (ibid.)

Again, twenty-four pages later, we read:

"'Yes,'Dalmady said. 'But -'" (p. 548)

Dalmady is not repeating himself. The narrative has returned to that same moment. Between the two "'Yes... 'But -'" 's, separated from its framing passages by two double spaces, is an extended flashback entirely for our, the readers', benefits. The flashback tells us what happened on Suleiman - which Dalmady and van Rijn already know. That Dalmady does not at this stage recount his adventure to van Rijn is emphasized by the fact that van Rijn interrupts him:

"'Butter me no buts...'" (ibid.)

- and pursues his interrogation.

Thus, another accomplished transition between a conversation on one planet and a harrowing experience on another.