The Price of Salt

Richard wonders why Therese is going on the trip and thinks she’ll change her mind. Therese doesn’t think so, and Richard notes Carol’s mysterious identity. Richard assumes she doesn’t drink, and Therese wonders if Carol looks like she drinks.

Richard wants to paint Therese, but Therese doesn’t want to sit still. Richard heard Therese brought Phil beer and sandwiches on New Year’s Day, but he’s not suspicious or jealous. However, he insults Phil, who’s working on a play that Therese doesn’t think he’ll ever finish.

Richard and Therese meet Carol at the Plaza Hotel and then walk in Central Park. The underwhelming conversation anguishes Therese, and at a coffee shop, they run into Harge. Richard wants Therese to go with him to a concert, but Therese wants to stay with Carol. Carol pushes Therese to go with Richard. Carol rides off in a taxi, but Therese doesn’t go to the concert.

Richard thinks Therese has a crush on Carol and that Carol is toying with Therese and will eventually tire of her. Therese thinks Richard is wrong, and she calls him a lackluster painter. She makes him feel worthless, but she doesn’t want to fight with him. She says that Carol didn’t take her away from Richard—Richard never had her.