The Business Trip

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and physical abuse.

As the temperature drops, Robert begins to worry about Stephanie’s cat, Freddie, knowing that Stephanie turned the temperature down in her apartment. As he considers bringing Freddie to his apartment, Robert receives a call from Stephanie’s boss, Dave. Not wanting to betray Stephanie’s confidence, Robert only reveals that Stephanie told him she met a man. Dave’s concern heightens Robert’s own worries about his friend. Robert rejects Dave’s suggestion that they call Stephanie’s son, Evan, to check in.

Lucy, the station’s digital manager, decides to reach out to Stephanie with an inside joke referring to their mutual crush, actor Mark Ruffalo. She texts Stephanie jokingly, asking if she wants to reschedule their upcoming meeting with “Mark R.” When Stephanie responds, confirming that she wants to reschedule the meeting, Lucy is confused by her formality. She sends two joking follow-up texts and receives another formal response. Lucy grows worried that something is seriously wrong with Stephanie.

Bruce begins to enjoy having full control of the newsroom in Stephanie’s absence, though he worries about getting in trouble with Dave now that gossip is spreading about Stephanie. When Lucy reveals her strange text conversation with Stephanie about Mark R.