After losing a lead role at an audition to an inexperienced "country" girl, Holly breaks down and her parents vow to fight back—her father insists he'll drive the newcomer out of Riverton and demands the rival's background. He fumes that the director doesn't need their money and that the rival's guardian even confronted them. While the family plots, the house staff report two arriving cars. Guests step in: Aeron Calder, Luke Peabody and the Calders' three heirs. The household switches into host mode, hoping connections and marriage could help—until someone asks, "What are you doing here?"