Bill and Judy Owens are a couple entrenched in academia. On what feels like another stepping stone in Bill's career, the couple travels to Italy so that Bill can write his second book. All his life, Bill seems to have gotten everything he's wanted, especially in his professional life. Bill moves through academic goals with ease, simply accomplishing and moving forward. Judy, on the other hand, is a woman. Where Bill can achieve, Judy may only observe, silently and thanklessly helping Bill on his venture towards greatness. Judy helps type Bill's manuscripts and possesses valuable knowledge of Bill's field of study, but she more often remains on the periphery. The couple's trip was planned to end with an introduction to Thompson, a character who holds high prestige, of whom Bill seeks to take advantage. Thompson also has a mosaic that Bill hopes to see and assist in putting back together. When they arrive at Thompson's home, he and Bill share a quick conversation, though Bill is upset because he feels he didn't get enough out of him. Thompson appears to be much more interested in Judy than in Bill, sharing an intimate conversation with her when Bill is gone. When Judy tries to tell Bill of this, he simply brushes it aside.