Symphony of Secrets

Josephine notices that her life with Freddy is changing, and she is unnerved by Freddy’s increasing absences and the fact that they now have separate rooms. She also thinks about Howard, a man with whom she once had a relationship, but she doesn’t know what he’s doing these days. As she takes the train to Ditmars, Josephine transcribes in her Compendium. At the office, Eunice explains that Freddy told Ditmars that Josephine was quitting with him. Josephine doesn’t want to quit. She gets upset and wants to transcribe, but Eunice says that Josephine needs to leave because her presence will upset Ditmars.

Josephine accidentally goes to their old apartment and transcribes on the stoop. Then, she remembers the new apartment and walks to it. Freddy, who now wants to be called Fred, asks her where she went. She ignores him and listens to the victrola. Fred follows her and continues to ask about her wanderings. Eventually, she asks Fred why he told Ditmars that she was quitting. Fred explains that Josephine cannot work for Ditmars without him, and he is now focusing on his new publishing company. Fred also asks her for a commissioned piece of music for a soprano, but Josephine is paying attention to the record, not him.