We speak the same language. He is one of us. I had a good reason, therefore, to be elated.
In the story "The Visitor" the character of Oswald Cornelius is portrayed. He is a misogynistic, self-centered and self-important character. He decides to travel to Egypt to expand his collection of spiders and ends up in the desert, in the middle of nowhere. He asks for the help at a nearby stop and is full of negative, judgmental remarks for the poor man who is supposed to help him. Seeing an expensive car approaching, he is immediately elated and believes he is saved. His self-importance really comes through with the use of "us" in accordance to the wealth.
All she'd needed right from the beginning was a good hard job of work to do, and plenty of problems to solve-other people's problems instead of her own.
Anna is the character from the story "The Last Act". She loses her beloved husband in a tragic accident and after several failed suicide attempts, decides to plan it properly. Just in that time she gets a well-needed call to help a friend in her business of adoption. This shifts her focus from her husband and gives her a purpose in life. Ironically, she finds comfort in listening to other people's misfortunes.
He was also a wicked man, and although I cannot in all honesty claim wickedness as one of my own virtues, I find it irresistible in others.
In the final story that takes on a ridiculous turn on sexuality and attraction with the use of biological tools, Oswald decides to participate in a creation of a scent that will turn men to dogs in heat. This satirical story of sexual behavior is comical and ridiculous at once. Oswald Cornelius is a flawed character that sees wickedness as virtue and morality as a bad trait.
