The Sound of Silence

The Sound of Silence is by Barbara Constant and carries the lines "Most people, when asked to define the ultimate in loneliness, say it's being alone in a crowd." Lucilla Brown, "G.G. Hoskins' secretary", comes to work half an hour early every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Paul Chapman has not managed a real laugh for several months, ever since he asked Lucilla, "Will you marry me?" and she answered, "I'm sorry, Paul". The year is 1962, and in certain cities "I have an appointment with my psychiatrist" is "a perfectly acceptable excuse for leaving work early."

Lucilla Brown, "G.G. Hoskins' secretary", is described as "bright, beautiful, and charming, with 20/20 vision, perfect teeth, a father and mother who adored her, friends who did likewise". A woman talking with Dr. Andrews says she "had that nightmare again", and that "It always starts with me walking down a crowded street, surrounded by honking cars and yelling newsboys and talking people."