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No.
Of what? What were you so afraid of?
You're going to think I'm crazy or something.
Love.
What?
Have you ever felt so completely consumed by a feeling for someone that you couldn't breathe? That the time together is so passionate and consuming that you felt physical pain when they would leave?
Um...sure.
I couldn't catch my breath. That's not a metaphor, that's...And I panicked. I never dreamed anyone would hear me back there... I tried to leave him. Went to my mother's in Boston. He brought my things up and pleaded with me to come home.
You must think I'm pathetic.
No. No, I don't.
I'm sorry that I frightened you like that. But I was so touched by your concern. I've been lonely here. Perhaps we could be friends.
Yes?
Um...
I'm running late here. I just came back for my briefcase.
Right. Well, I wanted to stop by to welcome you to the uh, to the neighborhood. I'm Claire Spencer. From next door.
This really isn't a good time.
Well maybe your wife...
She isn't here.
When...when will she be back?
I don't know.
Ohkay...
I have to go.
Who?
Give me that shit. Your wife.
I didn't kill my wife.
Of course. You must be so proud.
I am.
Everyone's very anxious to shake hands with our newest academic celebrity.
How're you holding up?
Just fine. It's a lovely party.
Norman was telling me the dream house is finally finished.
Almost.
Wonderful. It's good to see you two doing so well.
I'm sorry?
I know how hard it can be sometimes.
Uhhuh. What can be?
Well, I don't think I've seen you since the reception at Dean Ackerman's last year.
For the Dupont Chair. I swear. I'm becoming the nosy old lady I used to run from at Amherst.
No. I'm just not sure what you mean.
There was just...some tension. You were upset. I remember being concerned.
At the party.
Toward the end. You remember?
Ohhh yes. No, no. Just a little, you know...We're fine.
Well, I'm glad. Pardon my intrusiveness, but we do have to stick together you know.
Who's that?
The wives.
Who's idea was it?
Mine. His. We both...thought...
I didn't want to come.
Then why did you?
Because he was worried about me.
Your husband?
Yes. I'm sure he's hoping you'll pack me full of prozac so he can live out his life in peace.
Do you really think so?
No.
Why is he worried?
Because, I don't know, because sometimes...sometimes I forget things...and ever since Caitlin left, ever since my daughter left for school, there've been...I fainted and... Why is this so hard?
Fireball?
You're joking.
These are good.
Mmhmm.
She finished my solitaire game and turned on the radio...she likes rock and roll. Angry rock and roll.
How do you know it's a she?
I saw her in the water. Beside me. She was filling the bathtub.
What does she look like?
Pretty. She's a blond.
Do you have any idea who she is?
Um...I'd rather not say...just yet.
Fine.
What do you think I should do?
What?
Try to communicate with her somehow.
You think that'll help?
Can't hurt. And I think it's important you find out what she wants.
Are you humoring me?
Nope.
How?
I don't know. My aunt used to use my uncle's old pajamas and a candle.
What's happening to me?
Well, that's what we're here for.
Whether you imagined it or not, you actually saw and heard things that frightened you...that gave you reason for concern.
Yes, but...
Your friend saw them.
Isn't there something called group hysteria?
You think you influenced her?
Maybe. I don't know. I just know that when all this was happening, I felt, some part of me felt...alive. Like somebody needed me. And the more I reached out to, it, the fuller it became.
You're saying you willed these events to happen?
I don't know, I'm very confused right now.
She said, "You know." That I know.
Do you?
No.
What do you think? Guess.
I felt...pain. That she'd been hurt by someone. This is great. I'm trying to intuit the emotions of a figment of my
Have you been hurt?
Me? No. Well, in the accident I was injured, but...
You were in an accident?
Last year. I drove my car up a tree. Nothing serious, this... ...a minor concussion. But the car looked bad. It could have been bad. I think it scared the hell out of Norman.
What?
That he doesn't...see me, or, you know, that I'm...that's something's wrong...with me.
That can't feel good.