The chapter opens with a flashback to the events of the previous day. The narrator tells us that he has just returned from a meeting with his boss, who has been very kind to him. He tells the narrator that his boss is very fond of him, and that he is very happy to have him back at work. He also tells him that he and his wife are in a "relationship slump" and that they need to get back to work ASAP. He asks the narrator if he can work overtime on his first day at work, and the narrator says that he can do it.