On the morning of her thirtieth birthday, Eve reflects on how quickly her years have passed and how little her life has changed since she began teaching at Caseham High. While getting dressed for work, Eve uses Nate's time in the bathroom to pull out a hidden suitcase full of shoes. Eve chooses her favorite Louis Vuitton pumps, which she secretly bought with saved cash because Nate monitors the credit card bill and disapproves of her spending.

When Nate comes out of the bathroom, Eve notices that she is still strongly attracted to him despite the strain in their marriage. Wearing only a bra, pantyhose, and the heels, Eve approaches Nate and asks for a sexual "birthday present." Nate immediately rejects the idea, which leaves Eve feeling humiliated and unwanted.

To soften the rejection, Nate says he has just showered, they need to leave for school, and he is taking Eve out to dinner that night. Eve realizes Nate has not mentioned any actual gift and remembers that he stopped buying her presents years earlier because he considers their money shared. Nate's response reinforces Eve's sense that the marriage is emotionally cold and tightly controlled.

A text notification then shifts Eve's attention to Snapflash, the disappearing-message app she uses to communicate with Jay, the shoe salesman with whom she has been having an affair. Jay sends Eve a risky birthday message saying he wishes they could spend the day together, which immediately lifts Eve's mood, and Eve replies that she feels the same. Jay then writes that he has something for Eve, but before Eve can continue the exchange, Nate interrupts and hurries Eve to get dressed and leave, and Jay's message disappears.