2002 (Side A): Bullet Garden/The Din Inside Alveare

Synopsis
In August 2002, Isaac & Miria and members of the Martillo Family watch a live broadcast of the cruise liner Entrance preparing to depart the American west coast on one of Alveare's televisions.

Isaac and Miria are amazed that Firo Prochainezo, Ennis, and Czeslaw Meyer are boarding such a gigantic ship, while Randy and Pezzo managed to marry someone as out of his league as they believe Ennis is. When Firo appears on screen, Pezzo guffaws at how ill-suited he is to his tuxedo.

Ronny Schiatto comments that his fellow Martillos do not seem to be all too impressed by the sight of Firo and his family on television, to which an interlocutor replies that making fun of an absent Firo is worse than making fun of him when present. Nevertheless, Ronny would like to tease Firo again "if he makes it home safely."

His ominous phrasing does not go unnoticed, and he clarifies that he looks forward to experiencing unseen futures even if that uncertainty begets trepidation. All he can do, he claims, is pray the voyage is uneventful.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Isaac and Miria
 * Randy and Pezzo
 * Ronny Schiatto

Quotes

 * "I make a point of not seeing the future, you know. I look forward to finding out what happens, even if that uncertainty is a source of unease." —Ronny.