What Happened In Paradise?

First Visit: Back to Maxwell’s Room

When Maxwell enters the room, Jess is no longer on the bed. The shower is running. He told Jess to wash up, but what he really meant was for her to get some water on her face to refresh her.

“We’ll have to make a quick detour,” he calls out. “I want to get some things from The Villa.”

The water is off.

“Before you say anything, just hear me out.” Maxwell slides his suitcase out into the hall, next to the others. “I think the old woman is harmless. You said it yourself…that…that you trust her.” He reaches for Jess’ suitcase; he whispers into his chest, “I want to take Brian and Steph’s things back with us.” Maxwell stoops in front of the mess of plastic leaves and dirt. A camera. A very small, very discreet camera. “Jess? You should see this.” Should he take it up? Pretend he hasn’t seen it? What if whoever has been watching him…them…is still watching.

Jess comes out of the bathroom, water runs from her body, collecting in pools by her feet, creating wet indentations on the carpet.

“ There are more towels in the bathroom.” Maxwell's eyes climb, higher up Jess’ body; she’s stark naked. “Ahm. My bad, I’ll leave.” He covers his eyes quickly, starts to walk out of the room. There's an image on his brain, like a shadow seen by the eye but whose source the mind can’t reconcile. He has to turn, look at her again. The body is Jessica’s, is a similar height and build to Jess’. The face looks like Jess’. Everything about the naked form seems to belong to Jess. But where are her eyes?