This short story by Mary Gaitskill through a curve ball I did not see coming. A simple conversation between two strangers on an airplane becomes someone’s shocking confession. The delivery was unexpected, but Gaitskill paced it so well and hinted at it continuously so that the punch was that much more forceful. For a writer’s standpoint, if I were to craft a story surrounding that sort of confession, I would pay attention to where it is happening and the consequences of the setting, as well as its limitations. I thought the airplane was perfect, for it gave a reason for the two characters to meet and interact (because they have no where else to go and nothing else to do), and when the confession is uttered, the reality that the woman can not escape this man is chilling. Setting is so important and can usher in huge metaphorical and emotional impacts. There were limitations, however. Because of the environment of the airplane, Gaitskill must contain her characters. There is little physical movement and thus less change can occur. I believe that if this was set in a place that required the attendance of the two people but allowed more physical movement, we would see more change.