The chapter opens with Lila trying to write the requested sexy escapades, drafting a scene about Juan, a charming lawyer from a dating app whose date escalates into a passionate taxi encounter. Mid-sentence, Lila stops, cringes at the tone, and deletes the passage.

She starts again with Michael, a younger, quiet IT worker whose intensity intrigues her until he whispers about BDSM as they leave a restaurant; Lila audibly recoils at her own writing and deletes it. She cycles through beginnings featuring Richard from a nightclub, Jean-Claude the Parisian poet, and Vince the tattooed builder, but each attempt collapses into self-mockery and gibberish, underscoring her creative block.

Lila reflects that household chaos, Gabriel Mallory’s unreturned message, and her long sexual drought have blunted her ability to write convincingly. Exhausted, she rests her head on the keyboard.

Time shifts to school pickup. Mrs. Tugendhat, in maroon paisley dungarees, assigns Lila a list of Peter Pan play costumes, suggesting second-hand options if needed. While scanning the list, Lila literally bumps into Gabriel. Trying to avoid him—especially with Marja nearby—Lila keeps conversation minimal as Lennie chats with Violet. Gabriel mentions he owes Lila a text, but Lila, stung, rushes away with Violet.

Back home, Lila observes Bill in the garden, crossly gesturing with Jensen present, as Gene’s smoking triggers another dispute. Upstairs, Lila checks emails: routine bills and reminders, plus Anoushka asking when she can promise the new chapter. The undone sofa-bed shows Gene’s broken promises, and Bill and Gene’s shouted exchange continues through the window.

Feeling unable to endure another tense dinner and pressed by Anoushka’s deadline, Lila reconsiders her options. She types a message—“You know you said I looked like I needed a drink”—indicating she will pursue the drink invite as both escape and potential material for her chapter.