Ripley
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Can we make any excuses for his criminal actions?
He is an orphan who has never known any stability or real love and affection, its true.
But how can we separate idiosyncrasy from danger?
Something always turns up.
Thats my philosophy of life.
With polite detachment, he writes that it has become clear that the mission was a failure.
Mr. Greenleaf is not mad; hes just disappointed.
On the way to Marges, Dickie reads the letter from Mr. Greenleaf with a frown.
Tom is imperceptibly trailing behind him; he watches through the window as Dickie discusses it with Marge.
Tom puts on his best Dickie voice.
How do you suppose I get rid of him, Marge?
Throw him off the balcony, drown him?
Hes afraid of the water, you know.
But now he is in possession of knowledge that is obscure to Marge and Dickie.
His I think that sounds great!
reply is cut with a high dose ofoh shitundertones.
Dickie and Tom board a train to San Remo, first class.
He has not yet shown a proclivity for physical harm or injury.
He looks at them with a childs wholesome wonder, clapping and praising them.
So what if they are?
Its a testament to Dickies cluelessness that he thinks Tom is taking the news well.
What is the real issue here, exactly?
And what is Tom supposed to do over Christmas and New Years and after?
The complete dissonance between their interpretations of their situation is the last straw for Tom.
Tom finally manages to pull the fuel line from the motor and make his way back into the boat.
Just as suddenly as it appeared, emotion drains from his eyes.
Tom drags his feet through the clean-up.
Its easy to forget that a murder just happened by the time Tom is done with the boat.
He slides Dickies signet ring onto his own finger.
