Wyndam-Matson and Rita's Hollow Intimacy

A wealthy forger tries to impress his young mistress with a philosophical trick, only to reveal the emptiness of his world and their relationship.

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The Lady Visitor

The Lady Visitor Context Wyndam-Matson is entertaining Rita in his apartment when the phone rings with news of the fake admiral exposure. He is annoyed and distracted. Turning Point Rita listens to his conversation and sees his fear. She is beautiful but disconnected from the endless scheming of his business. Significance The relationship is already hollow: a wealthy man and a young woman passing time. The phone call shows her his ugly world.

The Two Zippos

The Two Zippos Context Wyndam-Matson tries to prove his philosophy of historicity by showing Rita two identical lighters, one with the provenance of Roosevelt's assassination. Turning Point She cannot feel the difference, and he delights in explaining that the paper certificate makes all the value. She is not impressed; she is disturbed. Significance The trick exposes the blankness at the core of his life. He deals in illusions and has lost the ability to hold anything real.

Rita's Recoil

Rita's Recoil Context Rita says she thinks she'd like to go now, and Wyndam-Matson tries to persuade her to stay. She was interested in the lighters, but now she has turned cold. Turning Point She mentions the book The Grasshopper Lies Heavy and tells him about a world where the Axis loses. He laughs at her, and her face hardens. Significance Rita is drawn to a different truth than Wyndam-Matson sells. The affair becomes impossible because she wants a world with meaning.

The Empty Proposal

The Empty Proposal Context Wyndam-Matson offers to drive Rita home, revealing his need to keep her even after she has rejected his philosophy. She accepts passively but says nothing. Turning Point In the car, she continues to talk about Abendsen's book, and he argues back about Rommel and German superiority. Their words do not meet at all. Significance The relationship is a conversation of deaf minds. She is already mentally elsewhere, and he is only defending a world he needs to believe in.

The Silenced Desire

The Silenced Desire Context When the drive ends, Rita leaves without a promise to return. Wyndam-Matson goes back to his apartment and his empty objects. Turning Point He has no one who can share his thoughts, and he doesn't even understand the book she loves. The hollow intimacy is revealed in all its poverty. Significance The relationship dies not with a bang but with a sigh. It leaves Wyndam-Matson alone with his counterfeit empire, indifferent to anything real.

the night Wyndam-Matson receives Calvin's phone call

after the phone call in the apartment

after the lecture on historicity

while Wyndam-Matson offers to drive her home

after the drive ends