Penelope Stockbridge arrives with another tuna-pasta bake for Bill, wearing childlike butterfly hairclips that underscore her eccentric kindness. Lila invites Bill to the door; Bill thanks Penelope politely while Lila observes Penelope’s hopeful demeanor and unspoken affection for Bill. After brief small talk about Penelope’s piano pupils, Penelope leaves, and Bill resignedly takes the dish to the kitchen.

Later that morning, Lila waits for Gene in her study and confronts him as he emerges from the bathroom. She notes his disheveled state, directs him to the laundered T-shirt, and demands clarity about the supposed production he claimed to be working on.

When Gene hesitates, Lila presses, and Gene admits his situation: he had problems at home, was thrown out by a girlfriend named Nadira, and owes money to threatening men from Florida. Under questioning, Gene reveals the debt is about fifty thousand dollars, spun from gambling, a car incident with hospital bills and lapsed insurance, and lost work after a firing.

Lila challenges Gene’s pattern—another much-younger partner—and asks what he really wants. Gene asks to stay for a week, then concedes to asking for a month to seek auditions and meet an agent, claiming opportunities tied to his past TV role.

Despite every instinct to refuse and anticipating Bill’s anger, Lila relents because Gene is seventy-five and effectively homeless. She sets strict terms: no alcohol or weed in the house, impeccable behavior around Celie and Violet, kindness and respect toward grieving Bill, restoring the sofa-bed daily so she can use her study, helping around the house, and actively looking for work.

Gene enthusiastically agrees and hugs Lila; she accepts stiffly, feeling foolish. She then heads downstairs, heavy-hearted, to inform Bill of her decision.