As the song reaches its peak, the narrator lights "one more cigarette," a stalling tactic to avoid admitting the rendezvous might be a failure. She is caught in a loop of memories ("a thousand pictures spinning in circles") and the harsh reality of the present. The story ends on an ambiguous note: she doesn't know if she wants to keep waiting or finally walk out the door. The Real-Life Context
, wondering if the person still looks the same as they did "long ago". As the song reaches its peak, the narrator
The central theme is the passage of time and the uncertainty of a reunion. The narrator: As the song reaches its peak
, asking herself, "How will you be?" and "Where are you?". The Climax: To Stay or Leave? the narrator lights "one more cigarette