Vix, Maia, and Paisley move to New York City together. Paisley works for ABC, and Maia gets a job on Wall Street, but the October 19, 1987, stock market crash (Black Monday) leads to her termination. Maia thinks she has ovarian cancer, but the test results are negative, so she applies to law school.

Caitlin visits Vix in New York City, and Vix stays with her at Lamb’s apartment in the Carlyle Hotel. Caitlin wishes she were 12 again, but Vix doesn’t share her wish. Caitlin thought Vix would marry Bru and have an average life. Vix reminds Caitlin that she signed the NBO pact, and Caitlin laughs before showing Vix a flamenco dance she learned.

Maia thinks Caitlin is jealous of her and Paisley. She claims there’s a version of Caitlin in every middle school—Vix has to get on with her life. Paisley extols Vix’s dedication to Caitlin and her rejection of Bru’s wedding proposal. Paisley doesn’t fantasize about Bru anymore. She thinks about this guy who’s pitching a sitcom.

The three young women share a loft, one bathroom, and a small kitchen in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. There’s little privacy, though. Worried about AIDS, only Paisley has much sex.