It was six in the morning when Norman finally decided to rise from his bed. The maniacal laughter had subsided hours ago, allowing for some peace. He changed into his navy sweatshirt and khaki pants with matching shoes. He went downstairs to make breakfast; French toast, the way his mother makes them, accompanied with blackberries. Another quiet morning in the Bates household.

"Ugh, how can you stand this silence?" a discontented voice echoed from behind Norman, "It's absolutely mundane."

She appeared once again directly across from him, rearing her head of raw contempt. Her very presence had the hairs on the back of Norman's neck rise and his skin become ridden with goosebumps. But Norman decided to pay her no mind and continued eating. If he ignored her, surely she'll disappear like the unwanted nuisance she was.

"The silent treatment, really?" Marion noted sarcastically with a huff. "Yeah, as if that ever works. Dumb ass."

Norman focused on his chewing. Marion pulled a nearby chair and sat on it, leaning forward and whispering in Norman's ear. "I can play this game too you know. I can wait here all fucking day till you give in."

Norman screwed his eyes shut, his head was pounding as if Marion were pounding on his skill with her knuckles.

"Honey," he heard his mother's sweet voice call to him, "Count to five and the problem will disappear like they always do."

He began counting just as Mother taught him to when he was little and wanted his father's violent outbursts to go away.

1…

"Give in Norman…"

2…

"Don't think you've won Norman."

3…

"You've no idea what the fuck you're in for."

4…

Silence once again entered the Bates residence. Norman's breakfast had gotten cold. No matter, he lost his appetite anyway. He went to go wash his dish and recalled that he used the same dish rather recently.

It had been two years since Norman became the owner and runner of the Bates Motel. Sure, Mother would keep him company, as she wouldn't dare leave him. But the house had gradually edged into one of silence. Perhaps it was the bypass that discouraged potential users, or the fact that Norman rarely went beyond the motel, aside from procuring the necessities. Now, as he looked out of his kitchen window cleaning the asparagus, he felt…lonely.

This Marion Crane was the first person he interacted with in weeks. She seemed like a woman in trouble, where trouble was constantly creeping on her like a shadow. One that clearly couldn't be shaken off no matter what. Mother did say he had a knack for attracting troubled women to him.

Minutes later he found himself at the guest's door, gently knocking it. Moments later, the door was opened to reveal a worn down, distraught Marion. Norman found himself wondering what she would look like if she were to smile.

"Oh…hello there," Norman greeted lamely.

"Hi." Marion responded drily.

Norman noticed the untouched takeout on the bed behind her.

"Takeout not to your liking?" Norman asked.

"Oh yeah, looks like it wasn't cooked long enough. I don't feel up to food poisoning tonight." Marion said snidely.

"I see. Well I'm tonight and I have more than enough food. I thought after the long day you've had, you'd appreciate a hot meal." Norman offered.

Marion was in thought, considering the offer. Her stomach began to rumble, ready to accept Norman's kind gesture. However, Marion herself seemed hesitant to accept. Perhaps she was unaccustomed to acts of kindness.

"You usually make motel guests dinner?" Marion asked with her eyebrow arched in surprise.

"Not usually no. Business has not exactly been booming due to the bypass that was built. I was just offering, but if you don't want to and just wish to rest I completely understand." Norman turned to walk away. He stopped when he heard a faint grumble, and turned his head back toward the woman.

Marion chuckled. "I guess I'll take you up on your offer after all," she said.

They were silent for the duration of the meal, save for idle chitchat and compliments about the food. It was only until Norman was serving dessert when Marion gathered the nerve to begin actual conversation.

"You're very kind to go to all this trouble for me," she said gratefully, helping herself to some blackberry pie.

"It was no trouble at all really," Norman replied. "I could use the company."

"You live alone?" Marion inquired.

"No actually, I live with my mother," Norman informed. "She and I used to run the motel together, but she's been getting older and well…" Norman paused solemnly. "She isn't what she used to be, poor thing."

"So you're here taking care of her?" inquired Marion.

"Yes, I'm all she has in this world." Norman said with a curt smile.

"You're sweet to look after her. Most people wouldn't bother." Marion stated.

"I figured since she took care of me I at least owe her the courtesy of caring for her, rather than throwing her away to some 'home'" Norman finished sardonically.

"Don't you feel unfulfilled? Like time is passing you by taking care of her, when you could be out there living, meeting people and achieving your dreams?"

"Is that what you're doing?" Norman asked curtly.

Marion smirked wryly. "Trying."

"I'm perfectly content here, I don't need any dreams or to meet people." Norman said with a slightly higher tone, nostrils flaring as he inhaled rapidly. "Besides, a boy's best friend is his mother."

Marion did not make a single comment about that. However, she realizes her misguided comment.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. Its none of my business." Marion apologized.

"Everyone thinks they know what's best," Norman commented snidely, apparently not hearing Marion's attempt at atoning for her words. "What the hell do they know, the hypocrites, thinking they're so much better being 'normal'. What's normal anyhow? None of them would have done anything different if they had lived through what I have, what she did." It was clear that Norman forgot Marion was there.

"Norman," Marion said, snapping him out of his reverie. It took him a minute to compose himself.

"I – I am sorry you had to see that," Norman began.

"S'fine. It's none of my business," Marion repeated. She rised to leave the kitchen, rushing to leave. "I'll be going back to my room now. I'm very tired."

"I hope it wasn't anything I said –" Norman tried to explain.

"It has been a very long day to me, I just want to sleep." She quickly made for the door, and thankfully Norman made no move to stop her. She paused at the door and turned back to Norman.

"Thanks again for the food," she said curtly. Then she hurried along to her motel room below.