The novel opens as the narrator and protagonist, Dr. Anna Fox, is engaged in an act of spying on her new neighbors in number 212 through the window of her brownstone in New York City. Dr. John Miller and his much younger wife have been living in their new home for eight weeks, and already, Mrs. Miller is having an affair with their contractor. Anna has also learned that Dr. Miller is a successful psychotherapist. Dr. Miller’s wife practices yoga regularly and enjoys an alcoholic drink in the afternoon, just like Anna does. Anna, a lover of classic American film noir, compares Mrs. Miller to Rita Hayworth.

As his wife and her lover undress, Anna notices that Dr. Miller is quickly approaching his home on foot. Anna uses the zoom lens on her camera to observe him more closely, as “Rita and the contractor are speedily disrobing” (4). Anna zooms in and photographs Mrs. Miller’s face as she hears her husband unlock the door; she and the contractor quickly get dressed as Dr. Miller’s briefcase opens suddenly, forcing him to gather his papers as they fly about the sidewalk and giving Mrs. Miller and the contractor sufficient time to compose themselves.