After Hadad left in the elevator, Luke Ellis walked toward his room and found Nicky Wilholm by the ice machine, eating candy beneath a motivational poster. Nicky asked whether the poster read as irony, sarcasm, or nonsense, and Luke agreed it was all three. Nicky shared a peanut butter cup, and Luke ate quickly, revealing a strong sugar craving.

Nicky correctly inferred Luke had received his first shot and explained the injections create sugar cravings and can cause visual phenomena the techs call “Stasi Lights.” Luke admitted he might have seen them during his earlier dizziness. Nicky noted he has had fewer shots and tests because he is TK-positive, while George Iles is also TK-positive and Kalisha Benson is TP-positive; those with less defined abilities get more procedures.

Luke asked if the injections were meant to enhance abilities and what they were being prepared for. Nicky suggested the preparation is for Back Half, though he did not know specifics. When Luke described Mrs. Sigsby’s talk of conscription, Nicky compared it to being press-ganged and mocked the patriotic framing about serving the country.

Nicky proposed going to the playground for chess, but Luke, pale and tired from the shot, chose to rest. They agreed the candy helped Luke feel better. Nicky revealed he obtained a recreation token from Maureen Alvorson before her shift ended and, despite his skepticism, acknowledged she seems genuinely kind.

At Luke’s door, the boys fist-bumped and agreed to meet when the bell signaled the next activity, with Nicky offering a crude but encouraging send-off. Luke remained in his room to recover.