- Carol Wilson: [just got off the phone with Alex Marsh] Alex is on his way to Los Angeles. He wants to talk to you and Tom. He said he'd get to the house about 9:00.
- Dr. Frederick Ramsey: What's so important that Alex has to see us tonight?
- Carol Wilson: I don't know. This is the first time I ever heard Alex Marsh actually sound excited about something.
- [a bit sad]
- Carol Wilson: And it obviously isn't me.
- Carol Wilson: Something else has been puzzling me, too.
- Dr. Frederick Ramsey: Well, what's that?
- Carol Wilson: Alex suddenly seemed so anxious to finish his work here with Tom, so he can get back to the desert. He never seemed to be that terribly interested in cactus derivatives before.
- Dr. Frederick Ramsey: Well, he's isolated some remarkable alkaloids already. Why wouldn't he be anxious to finish the work?
- Carol Wilson: I don't know. He acted differently. Maybe I just don't want to admit that I can't compete with a cactus plant.
- Carol Wilson: [worried that it might be another woman] At least, I hope it's a cactus plant.
- Alex Marsh: But I'm glad knowing that you're worrying about me.
- Carol Wilson: I even worry about your being alone at the desert lab.
- Alex Marsh: But I'm not alone, Carlos is with me. You know, that college boy from Baker I hired last year.