Does he even see me? Hello, Hanschen! There is a timid, submissive boy right beside you, and you continue to act as though I don't exist. You're content to watch the other boys, Melchior, Georg, Otto…They can never love you this way, Hanschen. I just need to get your attention. Then you'll realize.

"Hanschen?"

So here we find ourselves. Alone. I've gotten this far, but what next? He likes thinking he is in control. Give him some power. Ask for help.

"Hanschen? I'm not sure I understand problem 18. Would you help me?"

"The answer is 38."

Not good enough! That's not good enough! Do better.

It's five o'clock. Chime…chime…chime…chime…chime…Is he going to speak?

"Those bells…so peaceful."

Quick! Say the most pathetic thing you can think of!

"I know. Sometimes, when it's quiet in the evenings like this, I imagine myself as a country pastor."

Perfect! Keep going!

"With my red-cheeked wife, my library, my degrees…Boys and girls who live nearby give me their hands when I go walking!"

"You can't be serious."

I'm not. Not at all. But it's working! Let him talk, and then…who knows?