During Alfieri’s speech, he reveals a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability: ‘I had lost my strength somewhere.’ This is perhaps an implication of his role in the upcoming event and once again creates that foreboding atmosphere.
At the end of Alfieri’s narrative, the mood abruptly changes as Alfieri resumes his role as a character ‘so in other words, he won’t leave.’ In the previous section, it was as if Alfieri was in a trance as he narrates, he himself says: ‘almost transfixed I had come to feel.’ The mood was somewhat dark and brooding, however this dissipates when he begin conversing with Eddie.
From his dialogue it becomes clear that the audience have missed some of the conversation. This makes the audience suspicious as some crucial information may be mission. In addition, Alfieri admits himself: ‘I can hardly remember the conversation.’ Also we seem to be getting Alfieri’s perspective of the scene as he is the narrator. Tension is created here because Alfieri could be withholding or missing some detailes and this makes it hard for the audience to pass judgement on the scene and Eddie’s character.
The next section of the scene is the conversation between Eddie and Alfieri. There is tension here from the contrast between the two character’s mood and behaviour. While Alfieri is calm, collected and profession, Eddie is frustrated, irrational and explosive. Eddie’s reluctance to answer Alfieri’s questions also creates tension, it makes the audience suspicious and once again imply that some information is missing. This is emphasized by the fact that although the conversation revolves around Catherine and Roldolfo, their name is never mentioned. This not only tells the audience that Alfieri knows more about the situation than the audience think he does but also shows Eddie’s obsession. The depth of his obsession helps to create an atmosphere of apprehension as it gives indication to the things he is willing to do to keep his obsession.
Although in the beginning, Eddie does little more than grumble; towards the end of the conversation he becomes more and more emotional. This is shown through the number of exclamation marks used in his dialogue; he basically goes on a rant: ‘to show her what his is.’ So she would see, once and for all!’ This shows the strength of the emotions he is feeling and suggests that he is not in the state of mind where he can think rationally and logically about his decisions and actions. This creates a sense of anxiety and dread and is a strong implication of the catastrophic event to come.
At the end of the exchange, the contrast between Alfieri and Eddie is sharper than ever. Eddie becomes more bitter and livid: ‘(angering), Alfieri tries a more personal approach: ‘Eddie, take it or not.’ However, Eddie’s anger is unyielding and he cannot be appeased by Alfieri’s words, the atmosphere here becomes menacing and dangerous.
Seeing that his gentle persuasion did not work, Alfieri’s words toughen: ‘I’m warning you’. There is a sense of urgency here, and Alfieri seems to be losing his calm. The uselessness of his words is shown how we are being transitioned out of the scene, in a similar fashion to we were transitioned in bringing back that similar feeling of discomfort as the lines are blurred. There is an eerie atmosphere as the phone booth is described as glowing a ‘faint, lonely blue’. This further enforces a sense of dread.
Tension is slowly built up in this scene until the end where the atmosphere becomes claustrophobic. Here Alfieri completely loses his cool, his speech is filled with exclamations just as Eddie’s had been: ‘you won’t have a friend in the world, Eddie.’ He expresses some strong emotions: ‘even the ones who feel the same will despise you!’ It is a complete contrast from the calm, professional lawyer role he played a moment before. There is a sense of pure desperation in his words and actions: ‘calling desperately’. This shows the severity of the things to come. The atmosphere of foreboding and menace is in full force here.
