Summary

Chapter 1 – Eric and his much younger wife are discussing the future. Eric says he does not want to end up like his friend Dennis, doing nothing else but trying to find ways to cling onto life to avoid death. Katrin says she does not want Eric to be like Dennis, but she also does not want Eric to give up. Eric says he has not, and promises he will not. Eric also worries that his diagnosis (terminal cancer) will age Katrin prematurely. Katrin hates that Eric smokes cigarettes, but Eric doesn’t feel as if it matters anymore that he does. After dinner, Katrin, a writer, goes up to her study to work, but can only think about Eric. Talking with Eric again, Eric explains he has seen the future and knows it cannot be avoided, but he will try to fight. They come...