Scene 5 Summary

Some time later, on a beautiful spring evening, Amanda and Laura clear the table after dinner, while Tom smokes a cigarette and talks about the Paradise Dance Hall across the way. He describes how the hall is lit by a spinning glass ball that fragments the light into dancing rainbows on the walls, how lovers come out the back doors to hold and kiss each other, and how adventure and change are ahead for them.

As Laura goes into the kitchen to do dishes, Amanda joins Tom, and together they look up at the new moon. Amanda makes a wish and tells Tom to do the same, saying that she wished for happiness and success for her children. Tom says he imagined that she wished for a Gentleman Caller, and adds that he's made arrangements for one to visit. Amanda becomes extremely excited...