Desperate after smaller attempts fail, Tegan lights an entire magazine, knocking over the tray and igniting a pile of magazines. She waves the flaming pages toward the smoke detector, hoping to trigger an alarm before Polly notices. The fire grows and scorches Tegan’s fingers, forcing her to toss the burning magazine onto the pile as footsteps approach.

Polly bursts into the basement, sees the spreading flames, and smothers the fire with a blanket. She snatches Tegan’s gold lighter and berates Tegan for endangering herself and the baby, then reveals there is no fire alarm in the basement. Tegan, shaken, realizes that if the fire had spread, Polly could not have carried her upstairs and rescue would have been slow, risking both their lives.

When Tegan pleads for 911 and a hospital, Polly refuses, saying not now, and pockets the lighter, promising to return it when Tegan leaves. Polly pointedly warns Tegan to make sure she doesn’t leave in a body bag. The attempt fails, Tegan loses her only weapon, and Polly’s control over the situation—and over Tegan’s impending labor—tightens.