To find further information about Rawlings and his birth certificates, Adam transformed into a “spy,” listening in on his parents whenever he could. Though Amy was central to his life, he couldn’t tell her about the birth certificates. She didn’t take many things seriously. He is afraid she will laugh at him.

In the transcript, Brint pushes Adam to reveal what he discovered. Adam thinks Brint already knows, but if Brint knows, why would he continue this “charade”? Brint thinks the discussions “benefit” Adam. Though Adam has a headache, Brint pressures Adam to keep talking.

Thursdays were the days when Adam’s mom was the least gloomy. She baked cookies or cake and hummed or sang as she cleaned. In the evenings, she went into her room and talked on the phone. His dad called it her “special telephone hour,” but Adam didn’t know who his mom talked to each week. She had no friends, relatives, or professional commitments.

One Thursday evening, his dad went into his office basement, and his mom went to her room for her phone call. In the den, Adam picked up the phone extension and listened to his mom talk to a woman, Martha.