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393
October 30, 2009

Infidelity

Stories of cheating, cheaters and the cheated. Writer James Braly with a story about temptation (performed and recorded at The Moth), Dani Shapiro on being the mistress, and more.
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  • Transcript
Michael Forster Rothbart

Prologue

Ira talks with Jessica Pressler, who writes the Daily Intel blog for NewYork Magazine, about a phenomenon she noticed in the wedding notices in The New York Times. Couples were cheerfully telling—as part of their "meet cute" stories—how their relationships began with one of them cheating on a spouse or long-time partner. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Let Me Kiss Your Stiff Upper Lip

From England, Ruby Wright has a story of an affair where—even years after it ended—it wasn't much discussed. Ruby Wright's radio show Ruby's Chicky Boil-Ups airs every other Sunday on Radionowhere. (14 minutes)

By

Ruby Wright
Act Two

The Italian Job

Ira reviews some infidelity stats from his mother's book on the subject, Not Just Friends. And author James Braly tells a story of temptation at The Moth. (15 minutes)

By

James Braly

Song:

“Maps” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Act Three

How Did I Get Here?

Act two showed us a moment before infidelity occurs. In this act, Dani Shapiro has a story about the confusing mess things can be during an affair. The story is from her memoir, Slow Motion. (16 minutes)

By

Dani Shapiro
Act Four

The Man Who Knew What I Was About To Say

Etgar Keret describes the moment in the immediate aftermath of an affair. Actor Matt Malloy reads. Keret's most recent book is The Girl On The Fridge. (4 minutes)

By

Etgar Keret
Matt Malloy

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Act Four: Break It Down

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