Normal People

But still he has something she lacks, an inner life that does not include the other person.

She is an abyss that he can reach into, an empty space for him to fill.

infinitesimally

Life is the thing you bring with you inside your own head.

Jamie is somehow both boring and hostile at the same time, always yawning and rolling his eyes when other people are speaking.

It’s time you’ll never get back, Marianne adds. I mean, the time is real. The money is also real. Well, but the time is more real. Time consists of physics, money is just a social construct. Yes, but I’m still alive at work, says Joanna. It’s still me, I’m still having experiences. You’re not working, okay, but the time is passing for you too. You’

Presently she turns to him and they exchange kisses on each cheek. Looking in his eyes she says: Well, hello. He senses a certain receptivity in her expression, like she’s gathering information about his feelings, something they have learned to do to each other over a long time, like speaking a private language.