"Well, I read about it. I don't get much chance to see it, though. It's an expensive interest."

"It really is. Become an usher and you can see as many as you like for free, though."

"Hah! How do you get a gig like that?"

"Well, the restaurants weren't hiring, so..."

"Huh, maybe I should apply."

"Maybe! Could meet some rich men that way."

"There's an idea! I'll charm them with how elegantly I show them to their seats. Or if not a rich man, maybe a wealthy woman who likes to take her friends to shows, at least!"

"Maybe you'll meet Montgomery Donovan!"

"I could be her next Portia Sapienza and someday there would be a plaque in the hall with my name on it!" She giggles. "Sorry, I suppose that's a bit morbid."

"I suppose! Did she die?"

"I mean, the plaque said 'In loving memory', so I assumed."

"Oh. I guess that's why Miss Donovan is so sad. Poor lady."

"Was it recent, when Miss Sapienza stopped accompanying her?"

"Oh, back in-- February? It must have been."

"Oh, that's not long at all. How sad for her."

"February of last year, I mean. 1934."

"Ah. Still, that's scarcely more than a year. I hope she finds peace in time."

When Zoe returns to the group:

“Did you learn anything of use?”

"Maybe? I learned that Montgomery Donovan used to come to the opera with Portia Sapienza all the time, and that Portia stopped coming last February, and that since then Montgomery still comes regularly, but always leaves before the show ends, sometimes crying.

And that Der Jasager was her favorite, but maybe we already knew that?"

“Any information on Montgomery Donovan is better than none. And it gives us more reason to look into Portia Sapenzia as well.”

"I've been thinking about that. There was something in Samson's notes about Donovan. About... ultimate sacrifices and the bitter dregs of wisdom."

"You think she did something to Portia?"

"Wait, you said February? This year or last year?"

"Last year."

"Just, February last year Nectar production here spiked."