13

Lucian arrives at Knox and Naomi’s home for dinner, reflecting on childhood memories and the complicated expectations added by Naomi and Lina. Sloane pulls in, and the mutual hostility resurfaces immediately. Anticipating conflict, Knox presents TENS units and insists they wear them to behave or leave, warning Naomi is worried and he won’t host double social calendars.

Reluctantly, both agree, lured by tacos and pressured by Knox. At the table, Waylay controls the devices. Banter between Lucian and Sloane escalates into competitive goading about pain tolerance. Shocks intensify; both double over in pain, drawing attention from the family. Naomi grows suspicious and alarmed as chaos erupts, while Waylay, Lina, and Nash strategically exit to fetch dessert and reduce tension.

After ripping off the electrodes, Lucian steers Sloane outside. In the cold, they confront their pattern: every interaction devolves into juvenile sniping that disrupts the group. Acknowledging shared responsibility, they agree to a truce designed for the others’ sake—no direct interaction during group events and, when necessary, staggering attendance to avoid each other. They also agree to handle any lapses privately rather than publicly.

As they seal the agreement with a handshake, Lucian lights a cigarette, privately reframing it as a reward rather than a crutch. Both recognize the fragility of their ceasefire and the damage they’ve already done to each other, then reenter separately to let the family enjoy the evening without further drama.