Chapter 2

Summary

• Nisha Cantor runs furiously on a treadmill, using the exercise to manage her resentment and anger.
• She is in a city she dislikes because people walk too slowly on the sidewalks, forcing her to use a gym she despises.
• Nisha abruptly stops the treadmill, ignores the cool-down period, and is interrupted by a phone call from Carl.
• She is confronted by a woman about using her phone in a quiet area and dismissively tells the woman off.
• During the call with Carl, he unusually suggests they meet for lunch at her hotel and is undemanding about meal choices, which alerts Nisha that something is wrong.
• After her call with Carl, Nisha immediately tries to contact someone named Magda but reaches voicemail due to the time difference with New York.
• A gym attendant tries to enforce the no-phone rule, but Nisha intimidates him into backing down.
• She retreats to the changing rooms, overwhelmed with a mix of adrenaline and the necessity to maintain appearances.
• While in the changing room, Nisha receives a call from her son, Raymond, expressing insecurity over his eyebrows and guilt over a previous dolphin encounter.
• She reassures her son, then ends the call abruptly, asking her assistant Magda once again to get in touch with her urgently.
• Nisha prepares to leave the gym but discovers that her Marc Jacobs bag has been swapped for a cheap imitation.
• She reacts with panic and horror, demanding to see CCTV footage and speak with the manager, only to find out he is unavailable.
• The receptionist suggests the bag switch might have been accidental and offers to help, but Nisha grows frustrated with the lack of immediate solutions.
• Unable to find her car and still phone-less, Nisha is reluctantly offered and accepts flip-flops from the receptionist before leaving the gym.