Esme introduces Darby to a completely different New York: smoky, seedy downtown *jazz clubs* playing bebop, where the music is as addictive as the heroin being used there. Darby also meets a handsome young man, Sam, and falls in love.
Then one night in 1952, a violent tragedy happens - a fight between Darby and Esme. Esme falls / is pushed from the roof of the Barbizon and dies. It was ruled an accident. But there were rumors Darby killed her. Darby is scarred - physically and emotionally - and never leaves the Barbizon.
*2016 - Rose Lewin:*
Present day. The Barbizon is no longer a hotel - it's luxury condos. But a few old women still live there on the 4th floor under rent-control - including the now elderly, reclusive Darby, who hides behind a veil and plays melancholy music all day.
*Rose Lewin* is a 30-something journalist who just moved into the Barbizon with her boyfriend Griff - until Griff goes back to his wife and kicks Rose out. Rose is left heartbroken, her career as a journalist is collapsing, her father is ill.
