Ridley steps outside to escape the stuffiness of his usual company and enjoy a mediocre cafeteria sandwich, only to be instantly interrupted by Ulah with a clipboard—never a good sign. She informs him that his volunteer work is lacking and presents an “opportunity” to help with an upcoming Art Department festival.
Faced with the choice of being a stagehand or a performer, Ridley hesitates, but before he can refuse, Ashley instantly invites herself at the mention of performing, and Ridley reluctantly follows. After Ulah leaves, Ashley invites Ridley to listen to her play Riptide on her guitar. He asks if she plans to join the Art Department; she might, alongside her roommate, Pepper, who overhears and instantly invades Ridley’s personal space. Ridley, once again overwhelmed by people’s disregard for his comfort zone, struggles to react, though stays at the prospect of cute women serenading him with overplayed indie pop songs, reasoning joining TAD may not be an idea he’ll instantly regret.