Scene One opens to the apartment now furnished in a hodgepodge of styles with books, mementos, and photos throughout. It is Friday, four days later. Corie enters with hors d’oeuvres and alcohol for the evening’s festivities. As she mixes martinis with equal parts gin and vermouth, Paul buzzes to be let up. Unaware that a neighbor is walking up the stairs with Paul, Corie begins a conversation with him, adding that she will kiss him “for five solid minutes” (39) when he arrives. Paul enters, asking her why she insists on conversing with him on the stairs, exposing their business to their neighbors. She explains that she missed him during the day and asks if he missed her. He says that he doesn’t because she phoned him so often at work. He is grumpy about the outcome of his trial. Corie fixes him a drink, and he complains that he could not think after moving furniture for three hours the evening before, directed by Victor. Corie tells him to mind his temper and be charming with their guests. He asserts that the night will be a disaster because “the count of Monte Christo” and her “quiet, dainty little” (41) mother will have nothing in common.