In a flashback set before Adrienne Hale's disappearance, Adrienne watches her literary agent, Paige, arrive at her isolated house and notices Paige nearly trip on a loose brick while juggling her phone and a manila envelope. Adrienne reveals that she deliberately shut off her Wi-Fi and MicroCell before Paige's visit because she wants Paige's full attention. When Paige enters, she is impressed by the size of the house but quickly turns judgmental, questioning why Adrienne lives there alone and suggesting she needs better security or a boyfriend.

As the visit continues, Adrienne silently catalogs her dislike of Paige's habits, appearance, and condescending attitude. Paige hands over the proof copy of Adrienne's new book and comments that its violent material is hard to read, which reinforces Adrienne's sense that Paige does not respect her work. Paige also asks for water, but Adrienne claims the water is brown and metallic, prompting Paige to refuse it and prepare to leave.

At the door, Paige again presses Adrienne about her safety and jokes that Adrienne "invites the crazies right in," referring to Adrienne's patients. That remark becomes the turning point for Adrienne. Although Adrienne has tolerated Paige's criticism because Paige is effective at her job, Adrienne decides Paige has crossed a line by insulting the people Adrienne treats.

Adrienne then deliberately unsettles Paige by falsely telling her that mascara is caked near her eye. While Paige reflexively reaches for a compact, she drops her phone, badly cracks the screen, and cuts her finger on the broken glass. Adrienne coolly comments that maybe the accident is a sign Paige should spend less time on her phone, and Paige forces a strained laugh.

After escorting Paige out, Adrienne watches from the window as Paige checks the mirror for the nonexistent mascara smear. Adrienne concludes that Paige's day will worsen when she receives an email terminating her as Adrienne's agent. Alone again, Adrienne opens the envelope, admires the proof of her new book, and reads its title aloud: The Anatomy of Fear.