How to Stop Time

Heading home from playing piano for guests at a grand hotel, Tom steps into Harry’s Bar for a bit. He finds a place at the bar next to a glamorous couple who recommend a Bloody Mary. Tom orders one. The couple is Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Tom and Fitzgerald discuss The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise. Tom says Gatsby was exceptional. Fitzgerald appreciates the praise and asks about Tom’s occupation. Tom shares that he plays piano at Ciro’s. Zelda asks her usual drunk question: “What are you scared of?” (178). She confesses that she is scared of bedtimes and housekeeping while Fitzgerald is afraid of reviews and Hemingway. Tom shares that he is scared of time. Fitzgerald muses “if only we could find a way to stop time [...] for when a moment of happiness floats along. We could swing our net and catch it like a butterfly, and have that moment for ever” (178). Zelda sees other acquaintances across the room and pulls Fitzgerald after her. They invite Tom to join them, but he declines.

Tom is lost in thought. Camille breaks into his reverie asking if he is okay. Tom blames his headache. She teases that he needs more sleep since he was awake late at night liking her Facebook post. He becomes awkward and stumbles through an apology, and Camille understands. Tom, unsure what to say or do next, asks the question always in his mind: “Do you know anyone called Marion?” (181). Camille only knows one Marion, and she was a classmate. She smiles at Tom and says, “life is always mysterious [...] But some mysteries are bigger than others” (182). Silence falls. Tom walks away.