Page 414 - The Social Animal

396 The Social Animal

her charm, is feeling hurt and a little angry. It seems that, during a
political discussion, Alice had disagreed with his position and sided
with Tom. Moreover, she seemed to express a great deal of warmth
toward Tom in the course of the evening. In fact, her behavior could
be considered mildly flirtatious.
Phil is thinking: “I love her so much. I wish she wouldn’t do
things like that. Maybe she’s losing interest in me. God, if she ever
left me, I don’t know what I’d do. Is she really attracted to Tom?” But
Phil is reluctant to share his vulnerability so he actually says: “You
sure were throwing yourself at Tom tonight. Everybody noticed it.
You really made a fool of yourself.”
Alice cares a great deal about Phil. She felt that she had said
some very bright things that evening—especially during the politi-
cal discussion—and felt that Phil didn’t acknowledge her intellectual
contribution. “He thinks I’m just an uninteresting housewife. He is
probably bored with me.”

Alice: I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re just mad
because I happened to disagree with you about the president’s
tax proposal. Tom saw it my way. I think I was right.

Phil: He saw it your way! Are you kidding? What else could he
do? You were practically sitting in his lap.The other guests were
embarrassed.

Alice (teasing): Why, Phil, I do believe you’re jealous!
Phil: I’m not jealous! I really don’t give a damn. If you want to
act like a slut, that’s your business.

Alice (angrily): Boy, are you old-fashioned. You’re talking like
some Victorian, for God’s sake! You’re always doing that!

Phil (coldly): That just shows how little you know about me.
Other people find me up-to-date—even dashing.

Alice (sarcastically): Yes, I’m sure you cut quite a figure with all
the secretaries at your office!
Phil: Now, what’s that supposed to mean?

Alice falls into a stony silence. Phil makes several attempts to get
a response from her, fails, then storms out of the room, slamming the