Charged by the Abbott for discovering the truth, Gurder takes Masklin and Grimma to the General Manager's office. As Masklin begins searching the desk, they discover a memo to the staff saying that the store will be demolished. They return to find that the Abbott has been talking at length with The Thing, and has reconciled his world view that 'Outside' is an extension of the Store. His final decree is that the Nomes must return to their true home, but dies shortly after.