The Seven Year Itch

Richard Sherman returns to his New York City apartment after a train ride, carrying Ricky's kayak paddle. He unexpectedly meets the unnamed upstairs woman, a commercial actress and former model who is subleasing the flat. This chance encounter plants the seed of temptation that drives the rest of the story.

Richard's mind drifts to three fantasy sequences where he believes he could charm other women. He imagines himself irresistible to his secretary, a nurse, and Helen's bridesmaid. The fantasies reveal his growing vulnerability and the conflict between desire and fidelity.

During the same evening, a potted tomato plant falls onto his lounge chair, drawing the upstairs woman into his apartment. She apologizes for knocking it off the balcony, and Richard invites her down for a drink. This incident marks the transition from idle fantasy to a real-world encounter.

When she comes down, she is wearing pink pajamas and appears naïve—a toothpaste spokeswoman who recently appeared in a popular photo almanac. Richard's fantasies surge as he imagines her as a dangerous temptress. She brings a bottle of champagne, turning the mood toward seduction.

They share a playful Chopsticks duet on the piano, but Richard's impulses overwhelm his manners. He grabs at her and they topple from the piano bench, eliciting a light-hearted laugh from her. Richard apologizes and finally asks her to leave.

Back at work, Richard fears that his wife will discover the affair and the breach in his vows. He tries to reason away his guilt, but the problem lingers. Dr. Brubaker's visit to his office offers little practical help.

He imagines Helen spending time with her writer friend McKenzie in Maine, fueling his insecurity. In retaliation, he invites the upstairs woman out to dinner and a film, hoping to keep the fantasy alive. The plan marks a shift from private longing to active pursuit.

They go to see Creature from the Black Lagoon in air-conditioned luxury, a rare escape from the heat and a chance to grow closer. The film's immersion becomes a backdrop for their conversation and flirtation. This outing deepens the sense that boundaries are dissolving.

Walking home, she stands over a subway grate, and the breeze blows her dress in a Marilyn Monroe–style moment. Richard's imagination and restraint collide as desire intensifies. He then invites her to spend the night so she can rest for the next day's television appearance.

Richard invites her to stay the night, and they end up on the couch with her in his bed. In the morning, he confronts the imagined rival and knocks him cold. He then decides to let the woman stay in the apartment while he leaves to catch the train for two weeks in Maine.

With the decision made, Richard boards the train to Maine, stepping into a temporary escape from the chaos of temptation and the moral pull of his marriage. Helen remains physically distant, but the emotional distance has already widened. The trip signals a pause in the immediate drama while the seven-year itch continues to loom.