This chapter includes a conversation between the main character and his sister, Zoey, discussing a task the main character is supposed to accomplish.
The main character talks about a violinist he encountered who was from an older generation and has unique, purple eyes.
He brings up a person named Talia Anderson from their past, who apparently warned the main character against taking the job they are currently discussing, raising suspicions about this "Institute."
Zoey reveals that Talia's words are from a classified training manual, indicating that Talia might have insider knowledge, which could be leaking.
Through their conversation, it's revealed that the Institute has a high staff turnover, and if a staff member messes up, they can be harshly punished, even erased from the time-line.
Zoey confirms this practice when she reveals a personal connection to someone who was erased from the time-line for an error, who was another time-traveller. She visibly mourns them.
Zoey warns her brother that changing the timeline is a serious infraction which could result in him being intentionally lost in time.
Despite the warnings from Zoey and Talia, the main character is determined to proceed with his plans to travel back in time to interview certain key figures.
He plans to speak with Edwin St. Andrew in 1912 under disguise, Paul James Smith from 2020, and Olive Llewellyn the day after.
The knowledge that Olive Llewellyn, a renowned author who he's studied and is supposed to meet, died in a pandemic during a book tour, causes the main character distress. Despite that, he is determined to go on the mission and interview her a few days before her death.