Without warning and to the utter horror of Claire and Eliza, Dr Marlow came forward and slapped Tiffany on the face. Immediately, Tiffany has transformed into Emily again, who gracefully clasped her sore face and glanced around, oblivious of what had just happened. Nonetheless, Dr Marlow didn't notice the change, and persevered with her ways.
"How dare you insult the way I dress without first enquiring about the reason for which I do this," screeched the professor, who, after having calmed down a bit, continued. "This is all in honour of Petunia, my favourite pepper tree planted in my front garden. As a child, I had a severe case of autism, therefore, I did not have any friends. Whilst other children played jump rope on the streets, I preferred reading alone, while concealed in the safe abode of my mini treehouse, in which I have struggled to fit at the age of ten, on top of the pepper tree Petunia, whom I have named. Nevertheless, on my eleventh birthday, the city council ordered the death of Petunia, my only friend, after having noticed that its roots are beginning to penetrate the pavement in front of my house. My dad did his best to prevent them, but in the end, Petunia was cut down mercilessly." At this point in her speech, Dr Marlow paused in order that she could suppress her tears from trickling down her cheek.
