Talia Monroe narrates a memory labeled "Before" while she was a server at a café. Still reeling from a recent breakup—her boyfriend Franklin left her for a blond woman—Talia serves that same blond when she comes into the café and impulsively spits in the woman’s Diet Coke.

A new coworker, initially misheard as Noah but introduced as Noel Kemper, catches Talia in the act. Rather than reprimand her, Noel demonstrates how to make the sabotage more effective by hawking phlegm into the drink and coaching Talia to do the same. They joke together, and Talia smiles for the first time since her breakup.

Noel confirms he knows who Talia is and expresses understanding of her motive against the blond at table nine. He then casually asks Talia to get a drink with him after closing, offering more tongue-in-cheek “tips.” Talia, despite initial reservations, feels an immediate connection and agrees.

As Noel beams, he says there is one thing Talia needs to do first: "Wake up." Talia is confused and asks him to repeat himself. He repeats, "Wake up, Talia," ending the scene with the implication that this was a memory or dream she was having before being roused.