Player Piano

Paul and Anita arrive at the Kroner home, which is a “Victorian mansion, perfectly restored and maintained down the filigree along the eaves, and the iron spikes along the roof peak” (123). They exchange niceties, and the men—Paul and Kroner—go into the other room, where Kroner keeps his antique guns.

Kroner claims to already know about the previous night with Finnerty. He says the police are looking for Finnerty. Kroner tells Paul to not bother explaining about the previous night, and that it’s all in the past, while he pretends to shoot at ducks with his shotgun. Kroner goes on about progress and how Finnerty is against it.

“Paul—Pittsburgh is still open,” Kroner suddenly says, “The field has been narrowed down to two men” (128). It’s between Fred Garth, an older and more devoted Ilium manager and Paul, who has the creativity Kroner wants but not the loyalty. Kroner approaches Paul, puts his hand on his knee, and asks him to open up. Paul does: “His formless misgivings and disquiet of a week before […] had shape now” (130).

Kroner makes Paul a deal. If Paul is willing to say that he was at the bar on a reconnaissance mission for Kroner because Finnerty and Lasher are both saboteurs, then Paul can still have the job in Pittsburgh.