Veronica muses on her recent state of mind and outlook on life. She’s felt frustrated since losing her freelance job of four years with PitchSlapped. She didn’t like the company’s ethos but stayed with them because she made good money and they had decent incentives, but he still hasn’t gotten her last paycheck in the mail. As she stews over her situation, Veronica’s desk chair breaks, augmenting her frustration. She already needs a new computer and new headphones. She goes downstairs to see if the mailman, Larry, has brought the mail. In the lobby, she runs into “the work-from-home contingent” (14), all of whom she’s nicknamed—Catalogs, Loud Kevin, and Friday. Although attracted to Friday (who moved in last month), Veronica doesn’t have the nerve to introduce herself. Instead, she occasionally smiles at him. Seeing him today, she feels her spirits temporarily lift.

Jude, the new CEO of Codeify, messages with his colleague Adam about their recent Zoom meeting. They remark on the anonymous woman who invaded their call, impressed by the suggestions she made to their slide deck. Adam agrees with Jude’s plan to try to contact the woman about working with them.

Veronica texts with Clara about an email she just received. Veronica reveals that the Codeify CEO contacted her about working with his team, but she told him she wasn’t interested since the company seemed too much like PitchSlapped. Clara is busy with her kids, Piper and Daniella, but urges Veronica to text her updates.

Jude is shocked when Veronica declines his offer to work with him at Codeify. Having tracked her down on LinkedIn and discovered her marketing background and experience with PitchSlapped, he was hopeful she could help improve his company’s marketing strategies.

Confused by her rejection, Jude steps out on his balcony for some air and reflects on his situation. Since taking over his brother Jason’s position following his car accident and traumatic brain injury, Jude has felt pressured to maintain the company. He doesn’t have experience in the technology sector, and the learning curve is steep. Despite his confidence in himself, he knows he needs help “building custom phone apps” (22) for Codeify that will make Jason proud. He decides to email Veronica back.

Jude emails Veronica asking her to reconsider his offer. She explains that she was supposed to be interviewing for another job when she ended up in his Zoom meeting. She tells him that when Codeify’s ideas and culture reminded her of PitchSlapped, she felt triggered. She doesn’t want to work for another company like that. Jude asserts that the Codeify team is great, but they’re going through a transition; he suggests Veronica join them on a freelance basis, urging her to name her rate.

Veronica meets up with Clara and their mutual friend Jordan at the local bar. Over drinks, she tells them about her recent correspondence with Jude. Jordan urges her to ask for $1,000 an hour, but Veronica is skeptical. Jordan reasons that if she wants to make $1 million a year, she only has to ask for around $500 an hour. Remembering her missing severance check, Veronica wonders if Jordan is right. She’s had plenty of interviews, but none of the companies have gotten back to her. She needs a paycheck, and fast, or she won’t be able to pay her bills and cover her rent. She decides it might be worth a try to negotiate with Jude.

Jude and Adam message about the consulting package Veronica has requested, which includes a $500 hourly rate, a new desk chair, and a computer. Running the numbers, the colleagues try to decide if her expertise is worth it. They agree they should try to negotiate with Veronica because the company needs serious marketing direction.

Via email, Jude proposes a $7,000 retainer per month. Veronica insists that he include the chair and laptop in the deal. Without the chair, she won’t accept. Jude wants to know why the chair is so important.

Feeling overwhelmed by the intense negotiation, Jude stands up to get some air. He runs down to the lobby to check his mail and runs into Larry. Veronica messages him a long, playful response to his question about the chair that establishes a tone of banter. Laughing, Jude emails her a reply, accepting her original terms. He’s so distracted by the email that he bumps into his neighbor from 4C, an attractive young woman he always notices in the hall and lobby. He studies her and thinks again about introducing himself, but chickens out. When she catches his eye, he turns away and retreats to his apartment.