Chapter 2

Contains spoilers

Summary

  • Nisha Cantor runs furiously on a treadmill, using the exercise to manage her resentment and anger.
  • She is in a city she dislikes because people walk too slowly on the sidewalks, forcing her to use a gym she despises.
  • Nisha abruptly stops the treadmill, ignores the cool-down period, and is interrupted by a phone call from Carl.
  • She is confronted by a woman about using her phone in a quiet area and dismissively tells the woman off.
  • During the call with Carl, he unusually suggests they meet for lunch at her hotel and is undemanding about meal choices, which alerts Nisha that something is wrong.
  • After her call with Carl, Nisha immediately tries to contact someone named Magda but reaches voicemail due to the time difference with New York.
  • A gym attendant tries to enforce the no-phone rule, but Nisha intimidates him into backing down.
  • She retreats to the changing rooms, overwhelmed with a mix of adrenaline and the necessity to maintain appearances.
  • While in the changing room, Nisha receives a call from her son, Raymond, expressing insecurity over his eyebrows and guilt over a previous dolphin encounter.
  • She reassures her son, then ends the call abruptly, asking her assistant Magda once again to get in touch with her urgently.
  • Nisha prepares to leave the gym but discovers that her Marc Jacobs bag has been swapped for a cheap imitation.
  • She reacts with panic and horror, demanding to see CCTV footage and speak with the manager, only to find out he is unavailable.
  • The receptionist suggests the bag switch might have been accidental and offers to help, but Nisha grows frustrated with the lack of immediate solutions.
  • Unable to find her car and still phone-less, Nisha is reluctantly offered and accepts flip-flops from the receptionist before leaving the gym.