Independence Day

Upon arriving at The Deerslayer Inn, an exhausted Frank takes a nap. He awakes hungry and heads downstairs to see if he can satisfy his hunger. By this time, it is night and the kitchen at the inn is closed, as are many of the other dining establishments around town. Frank once again checks his messages which include a series of short messages from the increasingly distraught and panicking Markhams. Frank calls Sally and asks her to come meet him, this time in Manhattan the following evening, where Frank will be dropping off Paul with Ann. Sally agrees this time.

Frank makes small talk with the inn’s chef, Charmayne, a younger woman who is guarded in her demeanor toward Frank. At first, Frank is only interested in seeing if he can get her to give him food, but then he invites her out for a drink at a bar down the road, which she accepts. As Frank waits for Charmayne, to change clothes, he notices a book of short stories he wrote in the 60s sitting on a bookshelf. It appears not to have been opened for a long time and is covered in dust.

When Frank sees Charmayne out of her uniform, he realizes that she most likely took his drink invite as a prelude to a sexual encounter.