The Midnight Library

The next day, Nora arrives at String Theory, the music shop in Bedford where she works. She’s late for her afternoon shift, and she apologizes to her boss, Neil, as best she can. She explains that her cat died last night, and that she couldn’t sleep and had forgotten to set her alarm. Neil expresses sympathy for Nora, remembering that she has “mental health stuff.” He brings up that she’s been working at String Theory for over 12 years (her only other option had been an animal shelter), and asks her where she imagined her life would go when she was 14. Nora answers that she thought she’d be a professional swimmer, but had quit when there was too much pressure on her to succeed.

Neil tells Nora that it’s never too late to give up on a dream, and he brings up several things she could have done instead of working at String Theory. Years ago, Nora had backed out of a promising wedding with only two days’ notice, and she had once been in a band with her brother Joe before wasting that opportunity as well. Neil mentions that he saw Nora’s brother in Bedford the other day, and this news surprises and hurts Nora, as Joe hasn’t let her know he’s in town or paid her a visit. Finally, Neil tells Nora that she scares away too many customers with her gloomy demeanor, and he reiterates that she’s meant for bigger and better things, letting her know that she’s being fired from her job.