The Dollhouse

In 2016, Rose arrives at her father’s nursing home to find his room empty. A nurse directs her to the breakfast room, where she finds her father with a fresh bruise. His physician explains that he fell and recommends moving him to the more expensive dementia unit, leaving Rose worried about her finances.

Later, Rose goes to the Barbizon hoping to interview its original residents for her story. She meets Stella Conover, a former model who moved into the hotel in 1952. Stella shares some of the hotel’s history and mentions that she is dog-sitting for another longtime resident, Darby McLaughlin, who is out of town. That evening, Stella calls Rose from the hospital: Stella has had a heart attack and asks Rose to take over caring for Darby’s papillon, Bird. Rose agrees, hoping for an opportunity to connect with the elusive Darby.

In 1952, Darby arrives for secretarial school class at Katharine Gibbs late and hungover. Her teacher reprimands her, but a classmate, Maureen, creates a distraction. During a phone-etiquette drill, Darby channels the confidence of her new friend Esme, performing the professional receptionist task perfectly.

Maureen invites Darby to a study session with two other students.