Fleishman Is in Trouble

Toby wakes Hannah and Solly and tells them that he is expecting a big promotion that day. He brings them both to work and drops them off in a large conference room. His phone goes off. When he visits Bartuck’s office. Bartuck informs him that someone else has been hired for the position. It was felt that Toby wasn’t willing to give the time necessary for the work; Bartuck mentions that Toby has taken many personal days in the past few weeks. Toby defends himself, but the decision is final.

In his office afterward, Joanie informs Toby that he’ll be needed to consult on a CT scan in 20 minutes. While she’s there, Toby asks her out to dinner. He reflects on what an ideal romantic partner she would make, how much his kids would love her. She turns down his invitation. He gathers Hannah and Solly from the conference room and takes them home. The next day, Karen Cooper dies.

The morning after spending the night in Toby’s apartment, the narrator gets coffee and a bagel. She spots Rachel at a table nearby. They say hello to one another. Rachel appears disheveled. She is wearing little makeup and has an odd haircut.