Ms. Lane answers a call and hears Troy Quincy introduce himself as her arranged partner. Troy shocks her by confessing he's in love with someone else and proposing their marriage be a one year deal: open, nonexclusive, and temporary. He offers to take her to Skyreach; he learned from her dad that her first love is there, so she can meet that person without interference. Ms. Lane accepts the bargain, but Troy insists they sign a contract now in case she changes her mind. He says he's downstairs; the contract signing and her immediate choice remain unresolved.