“Now, keep close to me,” he said, “and see if we can get through somewhere here.”

The stairs leading up to the main floor were already crowded with visitors, some standing in line close to the wall, others aimlessly wandering up and down, looking and listening, their heads in the air. One of these, a gentleman with a tall white hat, shook his head at Landry and Page, as they pressed by him.

“You can’t get up there,” he said, “even if they let you in. They’re packed in like sardines already.”

But Landry reassured Page with a knowing nod of his head.

“I told the guide up in the gallery to reserve a seat for you. I guess we’ll manage.”