Jason and Amanda arrive in yet another Chicago that is almost his, and, exhausted from rapid jumps, they choose not to return to the box for the night. They clean up at the familiar-yet-different Hotel Royale, eat and drink at favorite haunts rendered strange by small changes, and briefly avoid discussing the box. Jason’s encounter with a bartender who doesn’t recognize him underscores the uncanny closeness to home.

In the night, physical closeness tempts Jason and Amanda, but Jason holds back, acknowledging the growing connection while staying loyal to his goal of finding his Daniela. The next day, he explores more near-worlds: in one, Daniela is an artist who doesn’t know him; Jason awkwardly tries to connect and is gently rebuffed. In another closest-yet world, Jason watches his counterpart’s life from a bench outside the brownstone, calls that Daniela pretending to be her Jason, and learns she is pregnant, intensifying his grief and longing.

Jason spends the day obsessively observing the near-family, following his double and Daniela on a date and into a movie theater. He fantasizes about entering their home to watch them sleep but ultimately refrains, recognizing how easily he could repeat what Jason2 did to him. He returns to the hotel after midnight, where Amanda, terrified by his disappearance, confronts him.

Jason confesses everything: the stalking, the phone purchase, the call, and his intrusive urges. Amanda comforts him but insists their method is failing. She points out the dwindling supply—sixteen ampoules remaining—and the mounting psychological toll. As they lie in the dark, Jason admits his notebooks and specificity haven’t brought them home. Amanda labels their approach a form of insanity, and Jason recognizes he’s searching for a grain of sand on an infinite beach.