Falling Man

Lianne receives a summons for jury service, but she is not selected for the trial, which involves “a lawyer accused of aiding the cause of terrorism” (125). She no longer follows all terrorism stories in the news. When thinking about death, family, and legacy, Lianne reads the obituary of David Janiak, the performance artist known as Falling Man. Lianne is shocked. Using the internet, she researches his performances and his life. Janiak died of natural causes, pending an autopsy, and suffered from chronic depression brought about by a spinal condition. He never commented to the media in the wake of his many arrests, nor did he explain his repeated performances. He had planned to make one final jump without his harness. Lianne stares at the internet reports but cannot understand Janiak.

Poker tournaments provide Keith with an escape from the traumatic memories of the September 11 attacks. He spends most of this time robotically playing cards, losing himself in the game’s routines and structures. Keith no longer sees Terry Cheng, but he actively tries to avoid him, spending more time in the gym when he is not at the card table or in his hotel room. Despite the long hours Keith spends in the gym, he cannot explain why he feels the need to work out so often.