Evie is back at work after her brief resignation, and Becky has dramatically escalated office rules and productivity demands. Employees face shortened breaks, tedious extra assignments, and retaliatory consequences for noncompliance—such as misplaced paychecks and desk relocations to spider-infested areas. Tatianna has been assigned the menial task of refilling ink vials, which Becky frames as a chance for her to dress more appropriately. Despite the friction, Evie finds familiar comfort in her ongoing verbal sparring with Becky.

Evie is up on a ladder hanging a new piece of art on the front wall of the office, replacing a portrait that was destroyed when Blade's dragon crashed through a stained glass window. Blade and the dragon have been training together but still have rough edges—the dragon is still learning to fly freely and recently caused the destruction. The Villain has been preoccupied with undisclosed plans since the confrontation at Otto Warsen's smithy, leaving Evie feeling excluded.

When Evie unveils the new artwork, it turns out to be a large, hideous public wanted poster of The Villain that she purchased at half price in the village square. The caricature features flaming red hair and charges of "murder, treason, and general villainy." Tatianna and Blade burst out laughing, and an intern stumbles and spills drinks in shock. Evie reveals this is her small act of revenge against the boss for shutting her out of his recent plans.

Becky is horrified and scolds the group, passionately defending the rare opportunity The Villain provides them with decent, private employment. Her emotional reaction silences everyone, and Blade apologizes before chasing after her when she storms off. Evie feels a pang of defensiveness for Becky and resolves to learn more about her colleague's backstory. Just as Evie asks Tatianna to alert her when the boss arrives so she can see his reaction, The Villain's voice sounds behind her—he's already there. Kingsley the frog holds up a sign reading "Trouble."