Chapter 36: Life and Death
Summary
- Walter informs the group about Life magazine wanting to do a cover story; Elizabeth immediately refuses, wary of personal questions.
- Walter presses the issue, mentioning their need for positive exposure since the death threats have stopped.
- Elizabeth would prefer a professional interview with a chemistry publication over mainstream media, but her preferred magazine isn't interested.
- After Elizabeth leaves the conversation in frustration, Walter seeks help from Harriet, who advises managing the interview questions.
- Harriet recommends Walter tell the reporter to avoid personal topics, especially concerning Calvin Evans, and focus on Elizabeth's accomplishments.
- During a taping of Elizabeth's show, reporter Franklin Roth observes her educational approach and the audience's serious engagement, learning that they appreciate being taken seriously.
- Backstage, Roth tries to engage Elizabeth on more personal topics, but she remains distant and focused on scientific explanations.
- When Roth senses Elizabeth's discomfort with the interview, he respectfully decides to leave, but Seymour Browne, Elizabeth's assistant, asks them to wait.
- Roth and the photographer are taken to Elizabeth's home lab, where she attempts to explain her professional focus and corrects Roth's misunderstanding with detailed scientific information.
- Elizabeth makes coffee in a complex manner and engages Roth with her passion and knowledge about her research in abiogenesis.
- Roth, intrigued by the consistency and detail of Elizabeth's explanations, considers probing into her personal connection with Calvin Evans despite warnings.
- After Roth mentions Calvin, Elizabeth's demeanor changes, showing disappointment, and the interview turns tense as she questions Roth's intentions.
- As Elizabeth rebuffs further personal questions, the interview falls into an awkward silence.
- Roth regrets crossing the line and breaking trust, aware that true apologies rarely work with just words.
- A siren startles Elizabeth, who decides to reveal the truth about her relationship with Calvin to Roth, a truth that could expose much more than he anticipated.