There are no happy endings, he knew, because nothing ends; and if there were any being dispensed, a great many worthier people would be in line for them long before Michael and Laura and himself. But...
I had a good time that night, too, Michael said, but I kept thinking, This is forever. This is forever. You will have this good time again and again, a million times over, until it will be like a play...
It's like marriage. The race there is between total knowledge of each other and death. If death comes first, it's considered a successful marriage.