You have to take risks if you're ever going to experience anything in this life.
-- Narrator (Mercuro)

Importance: When Bennedith first arrives in Madrid, she feels neither exhilarated nor enlivened. On her first night in the city, while drinking in her apartment alone, she regards the city below, realizing that she has isolated herself from life. Shortly thereafter, Mercuro's appearance in her life ushers her towards change. While lying on a lounger the following day, she decides to let Mercuro stay with her. She knows there are risks involved in inviting a stranger into her life, but decides that taking risks is the only way to experience anything. Bennedith's above revelation, therefore, is an inciting moment in the novel. Bennedith has come to a crossroads in her life. She has been given the choice to make a decision that might change her circumstances and her perspective.

Someone said no one can ever be...
-- Narrator (Mercuro)