The Fine Print

Zahra does her best to forget about Rowan while he is away, but she struggles to do so. On his return, he arrives at the Creator space while everyone but Zahra is out on lunch. She informs him that she has no interest in going to HR, and he changes the subject to her latest poor drawing for a project. He takes the drawing and claims that he has a friend who will make a better one for her.

After a panic attack brought on by memories of his father abusively criticizing his artistic talent, Rowan uses newly-purchased art supplies to work through the memories and re-create a depiction of Zahra’s vision. He is surprised to find that he soon achieves a flow state, and he is even more astonished by his desire to return to drawing after the design is finished. He gives the finished product to Zahra, who requests the name of the artist so that she can credit them. When Rowan brushes her off, she offers her phone number for him to give to the artist if they’re open to texting so that she can thank them.

Rowan debates throwing away Zahra’s number, but he ends up texting her later in the evening. He continues to be wary of her real motives, believing that her upbeat personality cannot be authentic, and he tells her that his name is Scott. He jokes a couple of times, surprising himself, and finds himself smiling by the end of the texted conversation that they have the next morning.

Rowan unwittingly reveals his investment in Zahra and her plans by referring to her as his “golden ticket.” At the weekly meeting, which Rowan does not attend, Zahra impresses everyone with her newest idea, receiving compliments and applause from the Creator team. At home, Claire announces that after bombing her interview at the Dreamland restaurant, she ran into the head chef, who gave her another chance and then offered her a position in the kitchen of a new restaurant that he will be developing for Rowan.

Rowan flies to Chicago earlier than planned to escape his growing interest in Zahra. He gives a flawless presentation about his plans to the board, and he is surprised and suspicious when his father does not challenge him during the meeting. Declan agrees with those suspicions when they have dinner together.

In another text conversation with Zahra, Rowan, posing as Scott, agrees to do another drawing for a project. He delivers it as himself, in the guise of doing a favor for Scott. The two almost kiss, and the feelings that her joy produces frighten him. As a result, he returns to his rude bluntness and leaves her as she texts her thanks to Scott.

After flirting with Scott via text, Zahra is late to the Creator meeting, earning a reprimand from Rowan. She presents first, and her ideas trigger a bout of creativity for Rowan, who suggests major but exciting changes to her ride suggestions. With every presentation after Zahra’s, Rowan’s mood worsens. He scolds the team for sub-par or average ideas and orders that all Creators work 12-hour days until further notice. He demands that they bring more innovative ideas or risk losing their jobs.

Rowan tears into the other Creator team like he did Zahra’s team. He texts Zahra afterward, and when a new electronic drawing tablet arrives, he uses it to draw another of Zahra’s ideas, using the tablet to email it to her rather than going to her desk. The drawing sparks an idea for Zahra about creating a ride that takes guests through the afterlife. She wants the ride to reflect the theme of Día de los Muertos. Rowan finds himself virtually keeping Zahra company and talking through her idea, animated in ways that he hasn’t been for years.

Rowan sees a flyer by Zahra’s cubicle that advertises a company volunteer program and posts Zahra’s phone number on numerous tabs. Irrationally angry at the thought of others getting access to her number from the flyer, he steals all the remaining tabs. He also inadvertently insults the program, calling it a meeting for children when he sees cupcakes advertised. However, Zahra’s anger at the comment convinces him to attend the volunteer meeting, and he discovers that the program is for volunteers who want to be buddies for people with Down syndrome. He regrets his rash words and admits to Zahra that he was wrong. She pairs him with her own sister, Ani, who observes that Rowan wanted to go to the meeting to see Zahra. The two bond, and Rowan decides to go through with the program and officially become a buddy for Ani.