In hindsight, it was quite obvious: of course the names of the books of the Torah gave a date and a time, counting atomic cycles of helium from the birth of Abraham. Of course it was a Tuesday.

The mantle of the Earth would erupt, and the survivors occupy cooling lava tubes. Geothermics would become all-important, ergo steam, ergo the rebirth of rail travel. Rails need spikes; spikes need hammering; hammerers need John Henry: hero, sacrifice, god.

Of course the chapters of the Book of Henry would correspond to a date and time. Of course it would be a Tuesday.