New York City

In the novel, the city becomes as important as the characters. It is the place that Mary escapes to when her work or medical problems become overwhelming. She is able to be completely anonymous when she chooses to be, ducking into alleys and listening to the ever-present sounds of the city, able to be alone without ever truly being lonely.

Kurt's apartment

Kurt's apartment is the scene of his initial relational experiments with the various girlfriends. This is his center of power when the women must come to him to perform their scenarios. Kurt is most comfortable in his own space where he is able to work on his movies and freely follow his creative whims. For this reason, when he allows Mary to stay in his apartment, providing a chair for her in his studio as well as sleeping in the same bed, he allows...