Aly, an experienced trauma ER nurse working in an understaffed inner-city hospital, finds Brinley, a new transfer nurse, in shock in the breakroom after a brutal shift that included a fatal close-range shotgun wound. Determined not to lose another colleague, Aly calmly coaxes Brinley back from the edge, wraps her in a blanket, programs the hospital's 24/7 mental health hotline and her own number into Brinley's phone, and offers tea and reassurance. Her trusted coworker Tanya helps reinforce that Brinley performed well.

Aly drives Brinley home, learning she has a boyfriend waiting, and chats about lighter topics to distract them both. On her own drive home, Aly reflects on the night's other cases — a stabbing victim, an abused wife, a sick toddler, and a homeless man with frostbite whom other nurses avoided due to his smell — recognizing that the sad cases haunt her more than the gory ones.

At her cozy, holiday-decorated craftsman cottage, Aly is greeted by her cat Fred, whom she rescued as a kitten. She showers, drinks white wine, and unwinds by scrolling social media, where she's become obsessed with thirst-trap videos of masked men. Her favorite creator, "the.faceless.man," stars in a sensual, blood-and-knife-tinged video she replays often, fantasizing about meeting him in person.

Inspired and tipsy, Aly remembers Tyler, her casual hookup, and texts him asking him to come over Friday wearing a similar mask. The next day mid-shift, Tyler replies dismissively: it's been two months since they spoke, he's not into the mask idea, and he's seeing someone else. Aly realizes how badly work has consumed her personal life and considers scheduling another therapy session.