Notes

about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smoldering.'

Myrtle is the wife of George Wilson, a mechanic and used car salesman who lacks the wealth and status she thinks she deserves. The couple lives in an apartment adjoining George's garage. 'Repairs. George B. Wilson. Cars Bought and Sold,' reads the sign outside their home. George gets no respect from his wife. Near the end of the story, when he finds out about his wife's ongoing infidelity, he gets upset and locks her in their apartment. Myrtle does not care what he thinks, as her response clearly illustrates: 'Beat me! Throw me down and beat me you dirty little coward!'

Myrtle's Dream Life
Myrtle's fantasy life centers on her relationship with Tom Buchanan, a relationship that Tom seems to control. One day, without notice, Tom drops by the Wilsons' home to see Myrtle. After making small talk, he gets to the point: 'I want to see you. Get on the next train.' Myrtle wastes no time following his instructions.

The destination is an apartment in New York, a kind of home away from home for the lovers. Upon arrival at the apartment, Myrtle contacts their neighbors to come over and socialize. Over the next several hours, a rather eclectic group of people, fueled by free-flowing alcohol, fills the apartment. This gives Myrtle an audience for her alter ego as a wealthy woman. Myrtle explains to others that her marriage was doomed from the start: 'I knew right away I made a mistake. He borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in, and never even told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out.'