Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Waking up the day after the funeral, Meursault decides to spend the day at a nearby public beach, where he meets a young woman named Marie. He had worked with Marie at one point and was interested in her, but nothing ever developed into a relationship. Marie and Meursault enjoy the day swimming, sunning and napping and Meursault invites Marie to a movie that evening.

That evening, Marie comments on Meursault's black tie, which represents mourning. She is surprised to find out that Meursault's mother's funeral was just yesterday. The young man seems unmoved by any sort of grief. After the film, Marie accompanies Meursault back to his apartment, where Marie spends the night.

The next morning, Meursault awakes to find that Marie has already gone, so he remains in bed and tries to recapture her essence. He smokes cigarettes until...