Audrey Character Analysis in I Am the Messenger

Audrey is Ed’s friend and his love interest. She is an underaged cab driver like Ed. She does not allow herself to love anyone because her family was abusive to her as a child. As a result, she only has sex with men she does not care about, like her boyfriend, Simon, and will not sleep with those she does care about, like Ed. She becomes uncomfortable when Ed begins to change as a result of his mission to help others. Her reactions show how finding a purpose in life, like Ed does in the novel, can requires the sacrifice of one’s casual relationships with others. As directed by the Ace of Hearts, Ed helps Audrey by helping her allow herself to feel her love for him for just three minutes. At the end of the novel, Audrey comes to Ed’s home and asks to move in with him, showing that she has learned to allow herself to be vulnerable enough to openly care about and depend upon another person.

Audrey Quotes in I Am the Messenger

The I Am the Messenger quotes below are all either spoken by Audrey or refer to Audrey. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“Something is going to happen at each of the addresses on that card, Ed, and you’ll have to react to it.”

I think about it and decide.

I speak.

“Well, that’s not real good, is it?”

“Why not?”

“Why not? What if there are people kicking the crap out of each other and I have to go in and stop it? It’s not exactly uncommon here, is it?”

“That’s just luck of the draw, I guess.”

Related Characters: Ed Kennedy (speaker), Audrey (speaker)

Related Symbols: Playing Cards

Page Number and Citation: 34

Explanation and Analysis:

“I’m looking for this,” I tell her. I wave my hand at both of us. “I’m looking for you and me, together.”

And Audrey only crouches down. She kneels with me and places her hand on mine to make me drop the papers.

“I don’t think it’s in there.” She said softly. “I think, Ed…I think this belongs to us.”

Related Characters: Ed Kennedy (speaker), Audrey (speaker)

Related Symbols: The File

Page Number and Citation: 357

Explanation and Analysis:

And that’s when I realize.

In a sweet, cruel, beautiful moment of clarity, I smile, watch a crack in the cement, and speak to Audrey and the sleeping Doorman. I tell them what I’m telling you:

I’m not the messenger at all.

I’m the message.

Related Characters: Ed Kennedy (speaker), The Doorman , Audrey

Page Number and Citation: 357

Explanation and Analysis:

Audrey Character Timeline in I Am the Messenger

The timeline below shows where the character Audrey appears in I Am the Messenger. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Purpose, Success, and Meaning Theme Icon

...at his other friends, Ritchie, who is hiding under the bank’s children’s play table, and Audrey, who lying with her foot on Ed’s leg. (full context)

...like this. The robber becomes fed up and storms over to where Ed, Marv, and Audrey are lying on the ground. The robber presses his gun into Ed’s face. Ed determines... (full context)

...points at Marv. Marv, unafraid of the incompetent robber, realizes he recognizes the man. Ed, Audrey, and Ritchie all tell Marv to stop talking. The bank robber becomes more agitated at... (full context)

Heroism, Sainthood, and Ordinariness Theme Icon

...but he knows the papers are more likely to call him a “deadbeat.” Ed, Marv, Audrey, and Ritchie walk back to the car, which now has a ticket on it. Marv... (full context)

...Marv, who never shuts up, Ritchie, who is quiet and has an awful tattoo, and Audrey, who is beautiful and also a cabdriver like Ed. Before Ed describes himself, he explains... (full context)

Ed became a cab driver because Audrey was one, and Ed is in love with Audrey. She does not love him back,... (full context)

...He likes to walk the Doorman around town or to his father’s grave. He imagines Audrey walking beside him. Unlike Dylan or Dalí, he has accomplished nothing and enjoys spending his... (full context)

Ed restates that he is hopelessly in love with Audrey. Audrey, on the other hand, is busy having sex with many people who are not... (full context)

Audrey comes over to Ed’s home whenever she feels sad. They drink and watch movies together... (full context)

...too stupid and Ritchie isn’t the type to scheme like this. He also doesn’t think Audrey is a likely suspect. He wonders if someone saw him playing cards with his friends... (full context)

Audrey claims she did not send the card, but she has a theory about why the... (full context)

Late the next night, Ed is sitting on his front porch when Audrey arrives. They have a drink and Ed desperately wishes they could sleep with each other.... (full context)

...the missions get easier than having to stop a gigantic rapist from brutalizing his wife. Audrey asks Ed about the address on the card, but he says he can’t tell her... (full context)

Ed and his friends play an overly complicated card game of their own invention at Audrey’s house. As they bicker among themselves, Ed observes Audrey and affirms his hopeless love of... (full context)

...the old woman. He draws that exact card from the deck and smiles to himself. Audrey winks at him, as if she understands what has just happened. (full context)

...going, Jimmy?” before hanging up. Stunned by the call, Ed returns to his card game. Audrey looks at him with concern, and Ed wants to tell her what’s wrong, but he... (full context)

Ed and Audrey are drinking on his front porch when she asks him if he still has the... (full context)

...in his dresser drawer. As Ed returns his taxi to the company lot, he sees Audrey kissing one of their coworkers. He passes them as he goes inside the company office... (full context)

Audrey asks Ed if he has received a new card and wonders why he looks so... (full context)

...excellent hand in any card game. But he knows this is not a game. Later, Audrey arrives at his house to talk about the cards. She asks Ed what he had... (full context)

Ed tells Audrey that he did not kill the abusive man, just scared him enough to convince him... (full context)

Ed keeps rambling until he accidently confesses that he also wishes Audrey were dating him and not their coworker. Audrey looks away, and they sit in silence... (full context)

...almost runs a red light, but he enjoys the welcome distraction from his worries about Audrey and the cards. (full context)

...good luck and wins several card games. Marv keeps rambling on about the soccer game. Audrey continues to treat Ed carefully and awkwardly, as she has ever since he confessed his... (full context)

After the card game, Audrey comes over to Ed’s house. Ed realizes how dirty his house is and feels even... (full context)

...to church with him on Sunday. Ritchie, easygoing as always, agrees and then Marv and Audrey agree too. (full context)

On Sunday, Ed, Marv, Ritchie, and Audrey are all in church. Ed sees that the church is old and depressing and only... (full context)

...his brother is there. Lastly, he thanks a certain special person. Ed silently prays for Audrey, Marv, Ma, Ritchie, and his late father. He also prays for help in his missions. (full context)

After the service, the crowd gathers for food, drink, and karaoke. Ed dances with Audrey, Milla, and Sophie. After the party, Ed and his friends clean up. Before he leaves... (full context)

Ed runs around the field looking for the Doorman and Jay. He comes across Audrey and she helps him look for the dog. After they check the surrounding area, they... (full context)

...the best player for defeating Mimi. On the way to the party, Ed stops by Audrey’s house, but she is out, most likely with her boyfriend. Ed arrives at the party... (full context)

Before Ed can go to the library, Audrey stops by to hang out. Ed tells her about the new card. All the while,... (full context)

Though Ed knows it’s foolish, he kisses Audrey. He feels her for second, but she pulls away. Ed tastes blood and realizes Audrey’s... (full context)

...despite the annoyances. When Ed returns his taxi to the company lot, he runs into Audrey. She wants to talk to him, but he notices her boyfriend waiting for her and... (full context)

One night when Ed returns from the restaurant, Audrey is waiting for him on his front porch. When he asks her why she’s there,... (full context)

Ed feels the lucky stone in his pocket. He considers how Audrey says he’s changed. He agrees that the old version of himself is gone, and now... (full context)

Ed tells Audrey that they should get drunk and she agrees. He asks her what else she was... (full context)

After the young man leaves, Audrey follows Ed to bed and begs him to tell her about what he has been... (full context)

Audrey wakes up in Ed’s bed the next morning and he serves her breakfast. Before she... (full context)

Ed invites Audrey to the movie tomorrow, and then he goes to visit Milla. He invites her to... (full context)

Ed introduces Audrey to Bernie, and they settle down in the theater for the movie. Ed hopes Bernie... (full context)

Ed asks Audrey if they can invite Bernie to watch the movie with them and Audrey agrees. Bernie... (full context)

Bernie falls asleep but the movie reel needs to be changed. Audrey wakes him and he leaves, but Ed realizes someone is already in the projection room.... (full context)

Ed and Audrey watch the movie screen as it shows an image of young men walking down the... (full context)

Audrey helps Ed back to his seat because he can’t walk. Bernie begins playing Cool Hand... (full context)

Ed and Audrey walk home late at night. The only other person outside is a young man on... (full context)

Ed buys food and alcohol for his Christmas party with his friends. Audrey arrives at his house, but she has to leave early to see her boyfriend. Ritchie... (full context)

The friends play cards and enjoy each other’s company. Audrey’s boyfriend comes over and hangs out with them for a while. Ed can tell Audrey... (full context)

...cab to take Milla back to her house. The cab driver turns out to be Audrey’s boyfriend, Simon. Ed rides along with them and takes Milla inside her house. She thanks... (full context)

...the Ace of Hearts. Bernie talks about one of the titles, Roman Holiday, which stars Audrey Hepburn. Ed focuses on the name, Audrey. Bernie looks up the other titles in his... (full context)

Ed hurries through the streets, filled with fear. He wants to run to Audrey and help her as soon as possible, but he decides to go by the order... (full context)

...do. The knowledge tears Ed apart inside. He envisions his three friends, Ritchie, Marv, and Audrey, and knows the Ace of Hearts will cut into all of them like a knife. (full context)

...the pub, going to the gambling shop, and then going to the card games. Meanwhile, Audrey tells them a story about a friend who worked with a recruitment agency that gifted... (full context)

...missions left to complete with his closest friends. He is scared of letting Marv and Audrey down but takes courage in his past successes. (full context)

...looking for a job but apologizes when Ritchie appears hurt. After the game, Marv offers Audrey a ride home, but she says she would rather walk than ride in his horrible... (full context)

...holding hands with his daughter and how afterward, Marv hugged him. Ed knows that now Audrey is his one remaining mission. He believes this is the most important message for him. (full context)

Ed goes to Audrey’s house and watches it from the outside. For three nights, he watches Simon come over... (full context)

Before Ed leaves for Audrey’s house the next night, Marv arrives at Ed’s place. He asks Ed if he still... (full context)

Ed waits outside Audrey’s house with a cassette player beside him. He knows he must suffer through another night... (full context)

Ed begins to play a specially selected song on the cassette player. He looks into Audrey’s eyes and holds her hands. Wordlessly, he pulls her close and she rests her head... (full context)

Ed collects his things and begins to leave Audrey. He says he will see her at the next card game, but she promises him... (full context)

...someone to arrive at his house. One day, a person walks in, but it’s only Audrey. She asks Ed why he has been so distant from their friends lately. Ed says... (full context)

...mission. Lastly, they drive past Ritchie’s house, the playground where Marv met his daughter, and Audrey’s place. Ed wishes he could stay forever in the happy memories with his friends, but... (full context)

...in the mirror, as well as Ritchie by the river, Marv in the park, and Audrey in the three minutes they danced together. The man asks Ed if he still sees... (full context)

One day, Audrey knocks on Ed’s door. She comes in and asks Ed if she can stay, forever.... (full context)

Ed, Audrey, and the Doorman sit on the front porch. Ed contemplates the man’s words about how... (full context)

I Am the Messenger

Audrey Character Analysis

Audrey Quotes in I Am the Messenger

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Joker: The Message Quotes

Audrey Character Timeline in I Am the Messenger