Unfaithfully Yours

Sir Alfred de Carter returns from England and discovers that August Henshler hired a private detective to shadow Daphne. He is livid at the invasion of privacy and the implication of infidelity, even before seeing any concrete proof. The discovery sets a tense mood for the night ahead.

August presents the private detective's report to Alfred, detailing sightings that allegedly link Daphne to Tony. Alfred reads with growing unease, though he remains outwardly controlled. This moment plants the seeds of confrontation that mirrors the later performances.

Livid and suspicious, Alfred tears the report to pieces rather than confronting Daphne outright. He decides to act as curator of the truth, determined to determine the meaning of the allegations himself. The act marks a turn toward private scheming rather than honest discussion.

Despite his stated intent to destroy any copies, Alfred secretly obtains Sweeney's address to ensure no trace of the report remains. He plans to erase any evidence of the detective's findings and to hide the suspicions from Daphne. The move shows his controlling mindset and foreshadows the coming manipulations.

Sweeney gives Alfred a concise summary of the detective's findings, framing the alleged late-night visit as a potential infidelity affair. Alfred absorbs the outline and becomes consumed by the possibilities. The summary fuels the vengeful fantasies he will imagine during the concert.

Before the concert, Alfred confronts Daphne, and their quarrel exposes the strain of jealousy. Daphne tries to reason with him and maintain calm, but the tension remains high. The discord sets a volatile tone for the evening.

During the performance, Alfred conducts three pieces of music while envisioning a 'perfect crime.' In the first, he imagines killing Daphne with a razor and framing Tony, synced to Rossini's Semiramide Overture. His mind wanders through danger and control as the audience watches.

In another vision, Alfred imagines forgiving Daphne and even offers her a generous check as blessing. He imagines normalizing the situation while the Prelude to Wagner's Tannhäuser underscores the hopeful but hollow fantasy. The moment blends generosity with underlying manipulation.

Another fantasy sequence sets up a game of Russian roulette between Alfred, Daphne, and Tony, with Alfred destined to die on the first pull. The tense moment is underscored by Francesca da Rimini, heightening the sense of doom. The plan remains only in imagination.

After the concert, Alfred tries to act on the murder fantasy by locating a recording device to lure Tony to the scene. He makes a mess in the apartment and ends up recording at the wrong speed, derailing the plan. The failed attempt reveals his inability to translate fantasy into reality.

Daphne comes home and questions Alfred about his erratic behavior. When he tests the razor, he cuts his thumb, and she bandages it with care. Her calm forgiveness contrasts with his mounting paranoia.

He attempts the forgiveness fantasy again but spills ink all over his checkbook, ruining the plan to give her money and absolve the situation. The accident exposes the fragility of his schemes and deepens the emotional distance between them. Daphne's patience remains constant, but the air remains heavy.

The Russian roulette sequence collapses when Alfred cannot recall where the bullets are kept. He cannot complete the fatal prop, and the moment ends inconclusively. The failure to act leaves him in a limbo of suspicion and self-doubt.

During a tense exchange, Alfred asks if she has ever been to Tony's room. She admits visiting to search for her sister Barbara, who might be involved with Tony. She explains she was trapped there when she saw Sweeney spying on the room, adding another layer of tension to the already fragile trust.

Alfred begs Daphne's forgiveness for his irrational behavior, and she accepts it, attributing his actions to the creative temperament of a great artist. They resume their life together with a fragile, uneasy peace. The ending leaves the couple's trust tested but still standing.