As layoffs loom at a mid-level video production company, Katie’s supervisor, Cole Hutcheson, asks if she wants to film a recruiting video about a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. Fearing job loss, Katie immediately accepts despite having little knowledge of the Coast Guard and a private inability to swim. Cole explains the assignment involves helicopters, ocean operations, and mandatory underwater egress simulator training due to crash risks.

Katie tries to persuade Cole she is the right fit by arguing her ignorance mirrors the target audience and will provide a fresh perspective. Cole tests her understanding, corrects her terminology, and warns he nearly gave the job to Jaden, who was ruled out because he cannot swim. Katie hides that she also cannot swim and agrees to proceed, claiming she is fine with water.

Cole frames the offer as a way to help Katie survive impending cuts. He describes their director, Sullivan, as ruthlessly restructuring the company after a messy divorce and predicts layoffs up to fifty percent. Cole says he wants to keep talented people and praises Katie’s filmmaking, citing her strong cinematography, unexpected angles, and ability to draw emotion—feedback he formed after watching one of her “Day in the Life” mini-documentaries.

Katie reflects on her passion project profiling everyday heroes, explaining her six-minute format that pairs a full day of B-roll with voice-only interviews. She notes she has covered only women so far for safety reasons, but Cole urges her to use this Coast Guard trip to create a side “Day in the Life” profile of the rescue swimmer as a potential career boost.

Cole discloses the swimmer’s claim to fame: years earlier, he rescued Jennifer Aniston’s golden retriever from a cliff, a widely viewed incident. The two recall key details of the rescue, from the hoist to the dog’s splinted paw and the rescuer humming “Heart and Soul” to calm the animal. Katie admits she focused on the heartwarming aspects rather than recognizing it was the Coast Guard, which Cole says proves the need for promotional videos.

When Katie asks why this famously publicity-averse swimmer would cooperate now, Cole says the man typically refuses interviews but was compelled by his superiors to participate for recruiting. Cole further reveals he was originally supposed to direct the promo because the swimmer specifically requested him and advocated for hiring their Dallas company. When Katie presses for reasons why, and why Cole is passing the job to her, Cole states the answer to all of it: the rescue swimmer is his brother.