The Dinner

Back in the restaurant, the diners move on to dessert. Babette interrupts the floor manager’s explanation of the dishes to tell him that she does not want hers. Serge fidgets hungrily; as ever, he has chosen the simplest dessert. Paul believes that Serge lacks imagination. Serge offers to eat Babette’s dessert in addition to his own. Paul stares at the slices of cheese on his plate and wishes that he could go home. Babette insists that the floor manager swap her dessert and the floor manager acquiesces. As he leaves, Babette calls him “an asshole” (126). Serge tells her that she is out of line but she cuts him off. As they argue, Paul thinks about hereditary conditions and which traits can pass down across generations. Neither he nor Claire intervene in the brewing argument between Serge and Babette. When Babette mockingly imitates her husband, Paul has to try not to laugh. She begins to shout, accusing Serge of a lack of support. He should not prioritize his own image, she screams. She knocks over a wine glass and announces that she never wants to return to the restaurant.

The other diners stop and listen, while Claire tries to console Babette, who wants to go home.