Early in their career, Evie and Shannon do a series of fashion shoots together at various junkyards and slaughterhouses. The disconcerting settings are intended to make the clothing look better. During one of these shoots, Evie asks about Shane and the accident that permanently altered his appearance. Shannon describes Shane burning trash and how a can of hairspray exploded in Shane’s face.

Shannon panics as she drives away from Evie’s and sees firetrucks going in the opposite direction. She has nowhere to go, so she drives to the Congress Hotel where she knows Brandy will be with the Rhea Sisters—a trio of drag queens and Brandy’s mentors through her gender confirmation experiences . Shannon forces her way into the hotel and into the Rhea Sisters’ room with the rifle. The Rhea Sisters beg her not to take Brandy away because they consider her their daughter, having adopted her after her birth family threw her out. They tell Shannon that Brandy is not done with her transformation, and show her a picture of Brandy’s biological sister, whom Brandy wishes to emulate. Shannon recognizes herself in the picture, realizing for the first time that Brandy and Shane are the same person. Brandy chooses to leave with Shannon, and they run from the hotel as the police arrive, summoned by the staff who saw Shannon with the rifle.