The American Roommate Experiment

The narrative shifts to Lucas’s perspective, as he upbraids himself for the “corny, original, and unnecessary line [that] left [his] lips before [he] even knew what was hitting [him]” (31). He is briefly distracted by Rosie’s beauty, but she pushes him to answer if he slept in the diner after leaving Lina’s apartment. He tries to distract her with flirtation, saying, “I bet I was a sight to behold”—to which she replies, “You kind of were [..] if you’re into sleepy, drooling men” (32).

As Rosie is still concerned for him, Lucas suggests she stay for coffee. He reluctantly explains that he is missing his credit card, so he couldn’t afford a hotel room. Rosie apologizes, but Lucas assures her that he does not blame her. She explains she was in the nearby bakery and shares the sausage rolls intended for her father. Lucas, a devotee of food, waxes poetry about the sausage rolls. He notices Rosie seems flustered.

Lucas asks Rosie if she still works with Lina, and when she hesitates to answer, he suggests they each answer five personal questions in order to get to know each other. Rosie asks Lucas about his recent travels, and he explains that he was in the Southwest before coming to New York, where he will depart for Spain after three months (as he lacks a visa).