At a deserted beauty shop called Hairport 2000, Tim Jamieson pulls over the van carrying Julia Sigsby, Luke Ellis, Wendy Gullickson, and Dr. James Evans. With police sirens approaching from DuPray, Tim asks Sigsby to explain how her box phone works so they can contact Tony Stackhouse. Sigsby refuses, staring straight ahead and maintaining silence.

Tim warns Sigsby he will hurt her if she does not cooperate, citing her responsibility for harming and killing children and others. Luke reinforces the accusation, and Tim demands Wendy’s gun. Tim presses the Glock to Sigsby’s leg and threatens to cripple her, while Dr. Evans protests that the shock and blood loss could be fatal. Wendy urges Tim not to shoot, but Tim insists time is running out and they need Sigsby’s help.

Tim counts down without ceremony, prompting Luke to cover his ears in anticipation of a gunshot. The gesture breaks Sigsby’s resistance; she asks for the phone. Tim refuses to hand it over but holds it to her mouth so she can activate it. Her first muttered attempt fails with an “activation rejected” message.

On a second try, Sigsby clearly states her credentials—“Sigsby One. Kansas City Chiefs”—and successfully unlocks the device. The interface appears like a standard smartphone, and Tim navigates to recent calls, finding “STACKHOUSE” at the top of the list, confirming the contact they need.

Tim gives the phone to Luke and tells him to initiate the call so Stackhouse will hear Luke’s voice first. Luke understands the strategy, and Tim plans to take over the conversation afterward as the adult negotiator, aiming to leverage the situation to help the captive children at the Institute.