The Only Woman in the Room

Mandl takes Hedy to a restaurant hotel in which he’s decorated the table with candles and roses. Throughout the dinner, Hedy is overwhelmed by his charm and honesty. He addresses what he is certain she heard from others, claiming: “I am not my reputation” (28). Hedy is moved by this, finding an affinity for the sentiment because of Ecstasy. She remembers that the film’s portrayal of her naked and having the first female orgasm on screen felt so artistic at the time, but since its release, has only brought her shame. She realizes that her and Mandl are more alike than she thought. When he asks to see her again at the end of the night, she agrees.

Two months later, Hedy is trying to keep herself from giggling around Mandl—whom she calls Fritz now. For the past 7 weeks, Hedy spent all of her free time with him. She tells him everything about herself, but he never offers anything about himself, which only piques her interest. When she does ask, he avoids the question or becomes suddenly short with her. She learns not to ask. At the end of the night, when he kisses her and begins to undo her dress, she finds herself longing for him more than anyone before but resists the urge.