George and Martha: "The Box"

Like "The French Lesson," "The Box" is a game of cat-and-mouse. Once again, it's briefly unclear who is the "cat."

*Martha* seems to be in control. She defies the rules. George's box says, "Do Not Touch," but a little secret peak can't really be a problem. Except that it sends jumping beans spilling everywhere.

Fine--but Martha can still retain control. She can "get away with it." She just needs to get the beans back in the box. She does so, frantically.

And yet George wins the day. George returns and quietly observes that Martha is sweating. And Martha's defensiveness says it all: "You don't think I looked in that box? I'd never....I'm just not the nosy type!"

George--the true "cat" in this game--need not say a thing. Silence speaks volumes. And the curtain falls.....

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