127722.fb2
HAYNES
: You didn’t tell him that, did you?
EMMA
: What?
HAYNES
: That you had a guest down there—living in the basement?
EMMA
: No—no, of course not. You’re not “living” down there, anyway. There’s no hot plate, no bathroom.
HAYNES
:No, I mean, you didn’t even mention me, did you?
EMMA
: No.
HAYNES
: Good.
EMMA
: I didn’t.
HAYNES
: That’s good. And did he seem to buy that or did he seem to think you were lying?
EMMA
: Well, I wasn’t lying.
HAYNES
: No, I know that. You and I both know that, but what about him? Did he seem to accept what you were saying at face value? That you were telling the truth?
EMMA
: He didn’t seem the least bit interested in that.
HAYNES
: In what?
EMMA
: The truth.
(Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Very loud this time. They both jump and stare at the door. Pause.)
HAYNES
: (
heavy whisper
) That’s him!
EMMA
: (
whisper
) Who?
HAYNES
: (
whisper
) Him. Don’t answer it.
EMMA
: (
whispers back
) How do you know?
HAYNES
: (
whisper
) This is the way they operate. They’re relentless.