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".
, asking herself, "How will you be?" and "Where are you?". The Climax: To Stay or Leave?