For so long I had been a person who needed other people to do things to me, and for so long no one had done the right thing to me...
-- Mary (Part 1, Chapter 1)

Importance: Much of Mary's early characterization is defined by her dependence on other people following her undiagnosable medical problems. She begins experiencing symptoms, and after the doctors cannot provide a clear answer and solution to alleviate her pains, she begins to lean first on her best friend, Chandra. A subscriber to new-age philosophy and alternative medical practices, Chandra suggests a wide-variety of treatments such as vitamins, fish oils, and geranium-hemp powders to Mary. Eventually, she lands on PAK treatment with Ed as the ultimate pain reliever, another instance wherein Mary must depend on somebody to physically and emotionally manipulate her body in an effort to achieve something for herself. In this way, Mary is constantly powerless in the beginning of the...