The World’s Fair Hotel
- Guests begin arriving at Holmes' World's Fair Hotel. Most are young women, "apparently unused to living alone" (3.2.1). Holmes finds them intoxicating.
- Minnie Williams becomes jealous, and Holmes finds her inconvenient. "Minnie was an asset now, an acquisition to be warehoused until needed, like cocooned prey" (3.2.1).
- Holmes buys Minnie a flat far enough away from his hotel that he can keep her away, but also close enough so she doesn't feel like he's getting rid of her. Which he totally is.
- The idea of a large, sunny flat appeals to Minnie, so she goes. Holmes feels he can finally enjoy his World's Fair Hotel.
- The women in the hotel find the place bleak and dreary, especially at night. But Holmes' presence seems to always soothe their fears.