Summary

After work, the narrator goes to the Woman in the Purple Skirt's apartment. All of the lights are off. She strains her "ears listening right outside the door," but hears nothing (175). Thirty minutes later, the director arrives. Looking "more rotund than ever," he slowly climbs the stairs (176). The Woman opens the door, but refuses to let him inside. She is offended that the director recently took an anniversary trip with his wife. The director dismisses her comment, accusing her of stealing the housewares. The Woman thinks the director's trip, and his accusation, are evidence he no longer loves her (177). The director tries convincing her to tell the manager that stealing and reselling the items was her idea, and that he had no involvement. Their arguing becomes aggressive. The Woman accuses the director of stealing a visiting celebrity's underwear from the hotel laundry. Furious...