Fred, Muriel’s nephew and a distant cousin by family ties, arrives quietly for his vacation from the institution, stepping onto the farmhouse property with his usual polite smile and impeccable manners. Dressed neatly in his olive suit and purple tie, briefcase in hand, he appears every bit the courteous gentleman—though those who know him well can’t ignore the unnerving calm in his green eyes. He speaks softly, with careful words and an eerie cheer, clearly pleased to be visiting his dear aunt after his time away. Though officially released only for a short holiday, Fred carries his past with him: a brilliant barber whose obsession with trimming hair led him down a troubling path and eventually into care. He remains intelligent and respectful, reminiscing in strange little rhymes as he observes his surroundings, always smiling, always composed. While Muriel greets him with affection, others nearby sense the quiet tension that follows him, aware that beneath his gentle tone and tidy appearance lies a compulsion he must constantly struggle to control. Still, Fred is happy to be visiting family, savoring the calm of the countryside—if only for a little while.