The next day, Theo sits beside the river and mentally revisits his recent meeting with Minnette Prentiss. What he had dismissed as a “silly idea” begins to feel to Theo like a genuine calling and a personal mission.

Theo considers how to choose whom to approach next among the ninety-two pencil portraits displayed on the Chalice wall. He brainstorms possible systems, such as moving methodically around the room, selecting by age, or picking at random.

In the end, Theo decides on two guiding criteria. Theo will rely first on intuition—choosing faces that feel vivid or intriguing to him and make him think he would enjoy meeting the person. Second, Theo will prioritize people who look as if they have suffered loss or seem weary or troubled, hoping a gifted portrait might offer encouragement.