Charlotte, living in Rome in 1953, enjoys the city during its quiet pre-dawn hour, especially the fountains in Piazza Navona. Startled by the sound of bare feet and fearing Sabine after ten years of evasion, she braces for danger but instead encounters a young woman, Giada, whose human heartbeat reassures her. They talk, and Giada insists on walking Charlotte home, joking about carrying rocks for safety.

They discover they live on the same street and part with the plan to meet for dinner at eight, as Charlotte avoids spending time with Giada in daylight to keep her condition hidden. The encounter leaves Charlotte hopeful, feeling rechristened when Giada calls her Carlotta.

That evening, Giada takes Charlotte on a progressive tour of her favorite Roman foods, from coffee to arancini to gelato, before settling at a bistro in Monti. Charlotte keeps up the illusion of eating, hiding her inability to consume food, while savoring Giada’s company and liveliness.

Giada explains she is a life model, prized for her ability to hold perfectly still. She demonstrates by freezing so completely that only her heartbeat and blush betray life, resuming motion only when a waiter arrives with her favorite dessert, seada. Charlotte, missing the taste of food, discreetly discards her portion while observing Giada’s joy.

Giada describes how she stays motionless by retreating into memories or fantasies. The charged atmosphere heightens as Charlotte admits she would like to draw Giada. Giada, delighted, accepts and asks whether they should go to Charlotte’s or her own place, leaving the scene on the cusp of deeper intimacy.