This podcast episode is from "Desperate Characters" by Paula Fox introduces Sophie and Otto Bentwood, a wealthy Brooklyn couple whose comfortable life is disrupted by a series of unsettling events. Their strained relationship, marked by unspoken issues and a recent affair, is mirrored by the increasing deterioration and tension in their neighborhood. Incidents like a cat bite, a thrown rock, and unsettling encounters with others highlight a pervasive sense of unease and loss of control. The text also explores their personal histories and interactions with friends, further illustrating their anxieties and disconnection from the changing world around them.