Tales of the City

Edgar gives Mary Ann the day off. She stays at home and stares out of a window, wondering whether she will ever return home. Norman rings her buzzer and enters with a “huge pot of yellow mums” (180). As he lays the flowers on the table, Mary Ann says that she is “‘delighted’” (181) to see Norman. They talk about Mrs. Madrigal and her marijuana habits. Norman did not receive a joint taped to his door. Mary Ann pities Norman’s lack of connections to the other residents.  

Norman leaves and spends the afternoon exploring book stores. He strikes up a conversation with the owner of a “dusty hole-in-the-wall” (182) previously owned by Mrs. Madrigal. By lying, he gets the man to reveal that she lived in Denmark at one time, which might be “‘where she picked up her funny customs’” (183).

Mona and D’orothea pass Norman after he leaves, but he does not recognize her. The two women have coffee, and D’orothea reveals that she has heard Mona lost her job. D’orothea is “‘finished with New York’” (183) and tells Mona that she wants her back.