At a family pizza dinner, Luke Ellis explains he first met with guidance counselor Jim Greer to avoid alarming his parents and to test the idea of early college. Herb jokes along, and the family trades quips as Luke confirms Greer described a potential family relocation so Luke would not be alone. Luke admits he would miss his parents too much to go without them.

Eileen reveals Greer proposed a scenario where relocation might be funded. Luke predicts the Broderick School trustees would defer to wealthy alumni rather than use the endowment, citing institutional caution. He frames himself as an investment with future returns for the school, and mentions the plan would rely on alumni support coordinated by Greer.

Herb shares that funding could cover up to sixteen months and that alumni like Douglas Finkel of American Paper Products might help with Herb’s job prospects. Luke adds that Boston’s teacher market could benefit Eileen, quoting a likely starting salary based on his research. Eileen is surprised he has investigated their financial options; Luke explains he tracks trustees and alumni through open sources.

When Eileen asks about friends he would leave behind, Luke admits he would miss Rolf and Maya, his unofficial spring dance date. Struggling to express himself, Luke finally describes a deep need to learn, portraying an inner vision of an abyss of unknowns crossed by a bridge he wants to walk, so knowledge can rise to him.

As Luke grows intense, a tin pizza pan on the table shivers and then skates to the floor, an occurrence his parents recognize as something that happens around Luke when he is upset. Herb says he understands, while Eileen bluntly says neither parent truly does, but she urges Luke to start the paperwork and take the SATs, with the option to reconsider later.

They agree to try to make the plan happen if Luke remains committed. Afterward, Luke reminisces about dancing with the restaurant’s mascot, Richie Rocket, when he was younger. Herb quotes, “When you stare into [the abyss], it stares back at you,” and Luke, energized, asks for dessert, closing the discussion on a hopeful, practical note.