Summary

The interlude is a flashback to 2003, when Henrik has just transferred to Stanford from Yale. The interlude is told from the perspective of both Henrik and Linda and chronicles their first meeting and subsequent relationship. Linda and Henrik meet at a coffee shop, where Linda catches Henrik's eye. During her shift at the coffee shop, Linda walks up to Henrik and asks him why he is staring. Linda and Henrik speak and Henrik tells Linda he hates misogyny. Linda enjoys the conversation because she finds Henrik intellectually stimulating. After Linda's shift ends Henrik teaches Linda how to effectively shoplift and Linda, impressed, gives him her number.

Analysis

In this interlude, the narrator utilizes the literary form of a flashback to challenge the reader's current perception of two very important characters, Linda and Henrik. In the flashback, the authors creates conflicting parallels between Linda and...