Polly narrates as Tegan holds a syringe to threaten her, demanding a 911 call. Polly recalls old medical supplies from caring for her mother and recognizes the danger of the needle. She lies that her phone is upstairs and points out Tegan cannot maintain a grip for hours.

Using a calm, authoritative tone, Polly tries to de-escalate and suggests that if Polly leaves, Hank will eventually come, leveraging Tegan’s fear of Hank. The pressure works: after a tense standoff, Tegan’s resolve falters and she drops the syringe.

Polly immediately retrieves the syringe and sweeps the bathroom and dressers for any others, finding none. She warns Tegan not to try it again and internally recommits to her plan, hoping the castor-oil Midwives Brew will induce labor by tomorrow.

Polly notes the irony that Tegan fears Hank, even though Hank wants to take Tegan to the hospital—a fact Tegan does not know. With control restored, Polly focuses on forcing labor to secure what she wants.