West 141st Street Café

When Clodagh first asks Paola if she can meet with her during office hours, Paola tells her to meet her at a West 141st Street Café. Although Clodagh does eventually find the location, Paola offers her no help in doing so. This café becomes the backdrop for all of their meetings over the course of the following two years. During the women's time at the café, Clodagh shares all of her troubles, woes, and questions with her anthropology professor. Because she reveres Paola, Clodagh fails to perceive Paola's lack of true care or concern for her. This does not become evident until Clodagh tells Paola about her assault. This is their final meeting.

Laundromat

Clodagh and her family have been regulars at a laundromat in their neighborhood for almost a decade. The laundromat is owned by a Chinese-American couple. Although Clodagh has been their customer...