Despite the good advice of Smith and the Cat, Magenta is determined to board O'Hara's airplane. Where she runs into Bert, and breaks a Tradition.

Smith talks to Magenta and they agree to disagree, she tells him they'll meet in NY if they come through.

The cat makes Magenta invisible as she boards the plain, and she sees Bertie talk to O'Hara.

She gets visible and talks to Bert who tells her he's been ordered to stake her on sight. She talks some more, ploying to intimidate him with Derek and a phantom RPG (phantom as in not there, RPG as in boom boom). While Bert formulate an attack plan and smooth talk her before the staking she shoots him with her secret weapon, and kills this age old vamp muscle. To the dust bin, just like that. Meanwhile Smith has picked up an RV and a hitchhiker to drive it to New Jersey. The cat relays Magenta's follies so Smith U-Turns and picks her up. On to NY.

Heading for New York on their own terms, Smith's shiny new RV is attacked and boarded by Werewolves during the day, while Smith, Piven and Magenta sleep helplessly in a hidden hold (made even more hidden thanks to the Cat's awesome obfuscation). Helplessly, they are driven to Pennsylvania.

In the stronghold of the Black Spiral Dancers, S,P&J meet drinks-alone-and-nothing, who lectures them on the mysteries of the universe and offers his help.

In exchange for their story of Faerie encounter, he offered to reveal his Burzmali contact. They agree, and eventuall Umbra-walk to India for that.