Tova arrives at Ethan’s bungalow for what she insists is not a date, bringing a bottle of wine Barbara supplied. She notes Ethan’s record-filled home and concert posters, and they share small talk as Ethan cooks. Tova seeks a brief break from her stalled research into Daphne Cassmore and accepts the meal as friendly company.

They sit down to chicken with mushroom sauce when Cameron unexpectedly storms in, clearly upset. He confronts Ethan for talking about his personal situation—information he heard secondhand from Ethan’s employee, Tanner—and Ethan ushers him to a back room for privacy. Tova, left alone, worries about Cameron and tries to be helpful by cleaning the messy kitchen.

Searching for a sponge, Tova finds only an old T-shirt under the sink and uses it as a rag, inadvertently soaking it with spilled red wine while wiping the counters. When Ethan returns, he recognizes the shirt as a rare Grateful Dead relic from their last Seattle show in 1995. Realizing her mistake, Tova apologizes; Ethan is shaken but tries to collect himself, wondering if the stain can be reversed.

Embarrassed and rattled, Tova thanks him for dinner and heads for the door. Ethan asks her to stay, saying he has something important to tell her—the reason he invited her—but she leaves before he can explain. The evening ends with strained emotions and an unspoken revelation hanging between them.