After Hutch storms out upon seeing Katie, his angry voicemail to Cole carries through the A/C vent, revealing that Hutch had arranged everything for Cole to be present on October fourth for Rue’s sake and is hurt by Cole’s ongoing absence. He mentions recovering a drowned 20-year-old and pleads with Cole not to waste time, admitting he cannot give up on his only brother.

Hutch returns, meets Katie formally, and realizes she is Rue’s guest and Cole’s replacement. He questions her secrecy with Rue and her choice to accept the job. When Hutch asks why she didn’t introduce herself at the pool, Katie admits she was “drowning in humiliation.”

Hutch leads Katie on a terse base tour, keeping his distance as she overcompensates with nervous chatter. Outside by a helicopter, their argument surfaces: Hutch accuses her of taking Cole’s place and of not being able to swim; Katie counters that Cole chose her and that reporting her won’t bring Cole. She reveals she overheard his voicemail and proposes an alliance—Hutch helps her keep the job and teaches her to swim; she will advocate with Cole, who avoids Hutch’s calls.

Hutch agrees to a trial “alliance,” and Katie asks to carpool since Rue’s car lacks base clearance. They head inside for an interview with a Miami lighting/sound contractor already set up in the hangar. Katie reblocks the shot to present Hutch standing, alpha-like, and experiments with his aviators, prompting a brief, charged exchange where Hutch notices the two-tone “pie piece” in Katie’s eye and calls it cool.

Filming begins, but Hutch is stilted and hyper-aware of the camera. Katie tries humor and small talk, but his answers are robotic and technical, offering little usable material. A brief pratfall where Hutch catches Katie underscores his reflexive competence but does not loosen him up immediately.

After more than an hour and a break, Katie shifts to deeper questions. Hutch engages when asked about yelling at panicked victims and hazards, explaining paradoxical undressing in hypothermia, wildlife and boating dangers, and a near-shark encounter. He finally connects when discussing AST school, describing its extreme demands and its purpose: preparing swimmers to be the last line between victims and the sea, focused on survival.