well-dressed foreigner who stands indecisively on the streets of Amsterdam, caught in the throngs of locals. He steps into a peculiar shop, the "Vexiersalon" of Chidher Grün, where he observes a strange assortment of goods, including a paper mâché skull labeled as an oracle. As he interacts with various eccentric figures—a charming saleswoman and the enigmatic inhabitants of this vivid establishment—mysterious elements intertwine with his thoughts on existence and reality. The exploratory nature of the opening sets a contemplative tone as the protagonist grapples with feelings of alienation and the significance of his experiences amidst a fantastical backdrop. (This is an automatically generated summary.)