The Costermonger’s Carp

A market purchase meant to support Narbondo’s experiments reveals how commercial opportunism and desperation intersect in the resurrection plot.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Search for Fresh Fish

Supply Under Pressure A failed first attempt The carp stolen from the oceanarium is badly injured, leaving Narbondo short of the ingredient he wants. Pule must find another supply quickly to keep the proposed restoration moving. The market becomes a laboratory source Pule heads to Billingsgate, where ordinary sellers and buyers know nothing of the experiment. The scene links the city’s food trade to the hidden scientific violence taking place in Soho.

A Costly Bargain

Exploitation in the Crowd The vendor raises the price Pule misjudges the cost of the carp and is pressured into paying more. His tiredness and physical insecurity make him a target for the seller’s mockery. A boy carries the trough Pule hires a costerlad to transport the fish toward Narbondo’s laboratory. The boy’s small errand briefly intersects with a scheme whose consequences exceed anything he knows.

The Ingredient Fails to Save Joanna

A Failed Promise The carp is damaged The fish is battered and its gland is compromised, limiting what Narbondo can do. He proceeds anyway, driven by Shiloh’s demand and his own ambition. Restoration remains impossible Joanna moves briefly but does not return to life as Shiloh wishes. The market transaction has supplied a material, not a miracle, and the men’s expectations remain unmet.

The morning after Pule’s oceanarium theft

During the morning market rush

During the second resurrection experiment