Katie debriefed with Beanie about not telling Hutch at the pool that she would be his videographer. Beanie warned that Monday would be extremely awkward, while Katie noted Cole had asked her to keep quiet until the project began and that Rue had been nearby when they met. Katie acknowledged Hutch would find it strange that Cole was not coming, but insisted it would be even stranger for her, given their intimate first encounter removing splinters.

Over the weekend, Katie tried to manage her dread by overpreparing. Her shipped film equipment and lost luggage arrived, restoring her confidence. She reflected on her usual corporate work and how this Coast Guard recruiting video would be different: she would capture high-intensity, compelling moments to show the reality of a demanding rescue swimmer role, as Cole had urged. She committed to filming broadly and shaping the story in edit.

On Monday morning, Katie dressed in black and drove Rue’s Mini Cooper to the air station, burdened by excitement, helicopter anxiety, and dread about military rules and seeing Hutch. Without clearance, she waited at the gate until Lieutenant Junior Grade Carlos Alonso escorted her in. Carlos reassured her that the environment was informal and that, as a civilian, she was not expected to know military protocols.

Inside, Katie was greeted by a series of friendly Coasties, which helped her relax. However, in the conference room she encountered Aviation Survival Technician First Class Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson in his flight suit. Hutch immediately focused on the absence of his brother Cole, whom he had expected to be the videographer. When Carlos introduced Katie as the replacement, Hutch pressed, asking where “the video guy” was.

Katie delivered the prepared line that Cole was unavailable and began to remind Hutch they had met at Rue’s boutique, but before she could finish, Hutch pushed past Katie and Carlos and left the room in frustration.