In A Dark Dark Wood

When Nora goes downstairs, the other guests are dancing. Nora notices that Flo and Clare are wearing the exact same outfit. Flo is preparing food in the kitchen and asks Nora for help when she realizes she has burned pita bread in the oven. Nora takes the bread out and tries to open the door to let out the smoke. However, the locked door is tricky to open.

Nina comes in, looking for tequila so that they can start drinking. Flo thinks it’s better to start with cocktails, but Nina mutters to Nora, “I need something as strong as possible to get me through this” (74). Clare starts off with tequila shots, and Tom suggests adding some cocaine to their party. Melanie does not approve of this, and Clare suggests they wait till later. Flo opens champagne and makes a sentimental toast to Clare. Despite her participation, Clare’s engagement to James continues to unsettle Nora.

Everyone begins to casually eat and chat, but the conversation becomes tense when Nina criticizes Clare for wanting to lose weight before the wedding. Flo becomes angry and insists that Nina stop trying to pick a fight. Clare tries to defuse the tension, telling Flo that this is just Nina’s sense of humor.