Cloud Cuckoo Land

Zeno’s Translation. In another fragmented bit of Zeno’s Cloud Cuckoo Land translation, Aethon starts to question his place in Cloud Cuckoo Land. The other birds are happy to fly around and eat all the time, but this is not enough to make Aethon happy. When Aethon questions another bird about it, the bird tells him he is acting like a human. The other bird tells Aethon to travel to the garden at the center of Cloud Cuckoo Land where he will find a book of the gods that will give him the knowledge he seeks.

Seymour. In August of 2019, Seymour has grown considerably more radical. He is no longer talking to Janet after assaulting the RV and instead spends all of his time listening to Bishop. He has also personally contacted Bishop’s organization and has begun messaging back and forth with someone with the username “Mathilda.” Mathilda claims to live in some kind of compound with Bishop and encourages Seymour’s descent into radicalism. Around the world, there have been many extreme weather events throughout the year, making Seymour think that he is completely justified in his actions. Mathilda tells Seymour that once he has completed a certain task, Seymour will be able to come live with her and Bishop on the compound. One night, Seymour has a sexually charged dream about Mathilda, who he imagines having “roses in her hair” and a “leafy hand.”

Zeno. About a month later, the children from the Lakeport Library have requested that Zeno make a play out of Cloud Cuckoo Land. Zeno loves the idea and, as he begins working on it, it is the first thing that makes him feel alive in a long time. As part of the process, Zeno and the children discuss Aethon’s feelings of dissatisfaction once he reaches Cloud Cuckoo Land. At first, the children list all of the things they would want in Cloud Cuckoo Land and do not understand why Aethon would be unhappy. In response, Zeno tells them that the name Aethon has three potential meanings: “blazing,” “burning,” and “hungry.” Over the next several months, Zeno and the children put the rest of the play together, purchasing and constructing the necessary props. When the set is completed, it makes Zeno feel like a kid again.

Seymour. Meanwhile, Seymour continues talking to Mathilda. Mathilda tells Seymour that he has to come up with his own special task if he wants to be allowed into the compound. Seymour thinks about the hand grenades sitting out in his shed. The same day, completely unrelated to what Seymour is planning, Bunny tells him, “You’re going to do something special with your life, Seymour. I know.”

The next time Seymour messages with Mathilda, he tells her that he has come up with his task, which is his plan to place a bomb in the library and damage Eden’s Gate Realty. Mathilda encourages the plan and walks Seymour through what he should do and ensures he knows how to construct pressure cooker bombs. Throughout Seymour and Mathilda’s messages, there is a fair deal of flirting as well. Mathilda assures Seymour that she will be “overjoyed” once he carries out his task and they can be together.