Every Note Played

Three days after Karina leaves for New Orleans with Elise, Richard sits at his computer playing recordings of jazz music, finding them jarring and aimless. Although Grace is available to help Richard, she stays mostly in her room, studying, and Richard generally avoids asking her for help, instead waiting for his aides to help him. Earlier, Richard invited Grace to watch a movie or go for a walk with him, but she made excuses.

Feeling restless, Richard wanders the house, wondering how to set things right between himself and Grace. Stopping at Karina’s piano, he spots the sheet music for “Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven, which was his favorite piece when he was 11 years old. Lost in memory, he cries as he longs to play again. Wandering to the kitchen, he sees leftover pizza and coffee and recalls the pleasures of eating and drinking. His thoughts wander to a passionate encounter with Maxine, a former lover.

A few minutes after nine o’clock at night, Richard begins making his way back to the den but stumbles and falls due to his weakened right leg. His nose bleeding, Richard tries to call Grace but loses consciousness.