Seven years before the world ends, Jeevan Chaudhary tries to transition from paparazzo work into entertainment journalism and secures a short hotel interview with Arthur Leander. Arriving at the penthouse suite, Jeevan is anxious Arthur might recognize him from a past photo involving Miranda, so Jeevan alters his appearance and steels himself to act professional.

The interview starts poorly: Arthur seems sleep-deprived and hungover, answers in monosyllables, and shows no interest in discussing his craft or current film. Arthur pivots to questioning Jeevan about his career and why he does this work at all, and Jeevan’s own doubts surface as he compares his aimless path to more consequential journalism, like his brother Frank’s war reporting.

Arthur grows frank about his exhaustion with publicity and repeatedly turns off Jeevan’s recorder, suggesting he wants to speak off the record. When Jeevan restarts the recorder to salvage usable quotes, Arthur performs a polished, media-friendly answer about accepting scrutiny as “part of the deal,” then drops the act again and asks Jeevan for a promise: an exclusive secret, but with a twenty-four-hour delay before Jeevan tells anyone.

Despite the publicist’s objections, Jeevan agrees. Arthur then admits he came straight from the airport hours early because he didn’t want to go home, and confesses he is leaving his wife, Elizabeth Colton, for his costar Lydia Marks. Arthur explains that Elizabeth doesn’t know yet, that he has failed to tell her directly, and that forcing the news into print will compel him to act.

Jeevan outlines the standard, “sensitive” breakup narrative to minimize harm, and Arthur asks that it be framed as mutual for Elizabeth’s sake. Arthur also agrees they should mention the baby, and Jeevan includes their son Tyler as the priority, emphasizing coparenting and privacy. Arthur accepts this plan with relief and thanks Jeevan.