Tests and Invitations
- With Charlie gone, Jackson posts a new Messenger list, but the empty spot has gone to someone named Bonnie Hendrickson—not one of the MBSers. Bummer.
- Double bummer for Reynie, who realizes he's actually jealous of this Bonnie Hendrickson. He's staring at the list, wondering at his reaction when Mr. Curtain rolls up.
- He tells Mr. Curtain he expected to be made a messenger himself since he's been making perfect scores on the exams, and Mr. Curtain tells Reynie he must be patient. He's new. His time will come.
- Mr. Curtain then expresses his displeasure with Constance, who, though her grades are improving, remains unruly and continues to fall asleep during lessons. He says he doesn't understand her and therefore doesn't trust her.
- Reynie gives him advice suggesting that the best thing to do with people you don't trust is to keep them close, and Mr. Curtain seems pleased. Reynie feels like he has just passed another test. Sure enough, Mr. C invites Reynie to his office so he can talk to him further.
- In Mr. C's office, Reynie notices the large book Mr. Curtain is always writing in outside—it's a journal.
- Mr. C scuttles the book out of sight and tells Reynie a little bit about his childhood in Holland. He also says that he thinks Reynie is a natural leader, and that one day he'll make a fine Executive.
- He tells Reynie that things are going to change soon, they are going to improve. Further, he reveals that after The Improvement he will no longer have a need for Messengers, but Executives will still be necessary. And perhaps Reynie will be one of them.
- That night Reynie tells the others everything Mr. C told him, and they pass it on to Mr. Benedict and company on the shore.
- The message they receive back is: "Do not worry […] But do hurry" (18.78-79).