Chapter XV

1. ZOO LANDERS. What did Vera mean when she said, "We're the zoo." Elaborate, explain and support your point with details. 

2. SIMPLY DIVINE. Vera tells Lombard that his whole situation could be divine retribution by speaking of the supernatural and of other-worldly, heavenly visitors punishing them.   What does divine retribution mean?  How could the situation be considered to be divine retribution within the context of the story?

3. THE BLORE CONUNDRUM. How was Blore killed? In your opinion is it possible for either Vera or Lombard to have committed this murder? What conclusions can you draw about the murder at this point in the story?

Chapter XVI

1. FRIZZLE MY SCHIZZLE. In the nursery rhyme, the next victim "got frizzled up" which means to burn. Another word for to burn somebody is to trick somebody, as in "Oooo, burn!"  How does Vera trick Lombard? Also, what will happen to Lombard's corpse if it's left out in the open sun?

2. VERA SENSES HUGO IN THE ROOM. What two lines of text tell us that Vera believed that Hugo was in her bedroom at the time of her hanging? Do you think he was there? Was anyone there, really? How do you think the noose got there in the room, conveniently waiting for her? (one or two paragraphs)

3. EMOTIONAL SOFT SPOTS.   Everyone has certain vulnerabilities, or parts of their personalities where they are emotionally sensitive.  Clearly Vera had hers.  Someone appears to have not only known her weaknesses, but to have manipulated her with them.  What was she sensitive to?  What specific manipulations by the killer triggered Vera's descent into madness? In other words, what did U.N. Owen do to get her to go over the edge?