Intermezzo

Peter waits for Sylvia at her office, but Sylvia called in sick. He goes to her apartment to check on her, picking up her prescription medicines on the way. In pain, she asks him to leave her medicines outside her door, but he goes in anyway. Sylvia is lying on the floor with a basin to vomit in.

Peter helps Sylvia to take her medicine and empties the basin. Sylvia is ashamed of being a burden. Peter carries her into bed.

Sylvia cries because she feels she has done everything wrong. Peter reassures her that he feels the same about his own life. He regrets being incapable of helping her, and is also still angry that she chose to break up with him. Sylvia points out that they would have resented each other and that breaking up was how they could end things on the best terms. Peter feels hurt by the insinuation that he should be grateful that they broke up for his sake; he has never gotten into a relationship as deep as the one he had with Sylvia. She is flattered by his efforts to plead with her. He pleads again to kiss her.

Peter and Sylvia kiss passionately.