Being the 454th Cycle of Forgetting in which Lucifer, the bad angel, continues to rehearse dreams, slowly learns to recover and control some of his powers, and becomes interested in the state of the earth. Along the way, he meets new people-exorcists, organic farmers, developers, astronauts, politicians-and begins to understand the nature of human striving. Having learned that the noble actions he had intended as the Lord of Animals caused more suffering instead of less, he establishes a new identity. He explores the science of light and invents a useful device. He becomes content to create wealth and to live well. But, he is led again to try to change people, with persuasion this time instead of force. He explores local politics, winning a small public office. Because of his invention, he secures a place on the space shuttle, where his enemies hound him into a final mythical confrontation that turns full circle.