Episode 3

"Nonetheless, that is the proposition," Mr. Steward said. "Would you like me to return rhe button unit?"

Norma stiffened. "Certainly not." She hung up angrily.

The package was lying on the front door; Norma saw it as she left the elevator. Well, of the nerve, she thought. She glared at the carton as she unlock the door. I just woke take it in, she thought. She went inside and started dinner.

Later, she went into the front hall. Opening the door, she picked up the package and carried it into the kitchen, leaving it on the table.

She sat in the living room, looking out the window. After a while, she went back into the kitchen to turn the cutlets in the broiler. She put the package in a bottom cabinet. She'd throw it out in the morning.

"May be some eccentric millionaire is playing games with people," she said.

Arthur looked up from his dinner." I don't understand you."

"What does that mean?"

" Let it go," he told her.

Norma ate in silence. Suddenly, she put her fork down. "Suppose it's a genuine offer?" She said.

Arthur stared at her.

" Suppose it's a genuine offer?"

"All right, suppose it is?" He looked incredulous. "What would you like to do? Get the button back and push it? Murder someone?"

Norma looked disguised. " Murder."

" How would you define it?"

"If you don't even know the person?" Norma said.

Arthur looked astounded, " Are you saying what I think you are?"

" If it's some old chinese peasant ten thousand miles away? Some disease narive in the Congo?"

" How about some baby boy in Pennsylvania?" Arthur countered. " Some beautiful little girl on the next block?"

" Now you're loading things."

" The point is, Norma," he continued. " What's the difference who you kill? It's still murder."

" The point is," Norma broke in, " if it's someone you've never seen in life and never will see, someone whose death you don't even have to know about, you still won't push button?"

Arthur stared at her, appalled. " You mean you would."

"Fifty thousand dollars, Arthur."

" What has the amount________"

" Fifty thousand dollars, Arthur," Norma interrupted." A chance to take that trip to Europe we've always talked about."

" Norma, no."

" A chance to buy that cottage on the island."

" Norma, no." His face was white,

She shuddered. " All right, take it easy," she said. "Why are you getting so upset? It's only talk."

After dinner, Arthur went into the living room. Before he left the table, he said, "I'd rather not discuss it anymore, if you don't mind."

Norma shrugged," Fine with me."

She got up earlier than usual to make pancakes, eggs, and tea for Arthur's breakfast.

"What's the occasion?" he asked with a smile.