Remarkably Bright Creatures Chasing a Lass—Day 1,309 of My Captivity Summary & Analysis

Summary

Chasing a Lass

Ethan Mack sits outside the Shop-Way on a forbidden smoke break. He worries about Tova being out on the roads at night; ever since she started coming in after her work day he’s been primping himself to look nice for her. He thinks back on his home in Scotland, and the whirlwind relationship that led him to the U.S. 40 years ago with Cindy, the last girl he chased. They traveled all over the states and got married before Cindy left him, and he stayed on in Washington, working at Shop-Way. He thinks about going to check on Tova but decides not to, fearful of getting his heart broken again.

Day 1,306 of My Captivity

Marcellus compares his intelligence to that of the lesser creatures in the aquarium, and mentions that he is good at keeping secrets, like the sea. He says he carries one with him now.

Baby Vipers are Especially Deadly

Cameron is at his apartment when his girlfriend, Katie, arrives home early from work for a dentist appointment. He tries to lie to Katie about losing his job, but she figures out the truth and leaves; she returns hours later to throw his belongings out of the apartment and break up with him. Dejected, Cameron waits by the road for Brad to pick him up. The two drive back to Brad and Elizabeth’s house and Cameron privately laments the unfairness of his life. Brad agrees to let Cameron spend the night, but admits that he is going to leave their band after next week’s show. Cameron is shocked and upset, but understands that Brad’s priorities are shifting towards family life.

Day 1,307 of My Captivity

Marcellus talks about the fingerprints left on his glass tank and describes remembering each and every one. He compares their individuality to keys and says he never forgets those either.

Muckle Teeth

Tova is getting ready for work at the aquarium when she is flagged down by Bruce LaRue, who introduces himself as Lars’s attorney. He tells her that her brother’s belongings are waiting to be claimed at Charter Village, and she reluctantly agrees to retrieve them. Afterwards, she goes to work, greeting Marcellus as she cleans the fingerprints from his tank. She speaks aloud to him about her dislike of retirement homes and her relationship with her brother, sensing that Marcellus is listening to her. She goes later to Shop-Way, where she takes Ethan up on his offer to help her, asking him to drive her to Charter Village to retrieve Lars’s belongings.

Day 1,308 of My Captivity

Marcellus compares seahorse spawnings to human children, remarking that, unlike seahorse larvae, human babies are easy to identify as the species they are; he, however, does not know how his own species procreates. Marcellus remarks that all humans are predictable—all except for Tova.

Happy Endings

Ethan drives Tova to Charter Village in Bellingham, where he waits by reception as she conducts the business regarding Lars’s estate. Ethan joins a tour of the place and is impressed by the pristine facilities and inviting perks. He is back at reception when Tova emerges with a box of Lars’s things. Upon getting back into the car, he notices that Tova has brought an application to Charter Village back with her.

Day 1,309 of My Captivity

Marcellus gets called a “smart cookie” by Dr. Santiago when he solves a puzzle involving a crab in a cage. He is simultaneously amused and offended by being compared to a vending machine snack.

Previous section Day 1,299 of My Captivity—June Gloom Next section Maybe not Marrakesh—Not a Movie Star, but Maybe a Pirate