Content Warning: This section contains a description of animal mutilation.

The next morning, Brody wakes up to find Ellen already awake. She seems “subdued, sad” as she prepares breakfast and tells him about her plans to spend the day at the hospital (91). After the children and Brody depart, she calls Hooper to see if he is “free for lunch” (92). Hooper agrees, and Ellen chooses a restaurant that she knows will most likely be free of Amity locals. She feels nervous and excited as she gets ready to go. After briefly stopping by the hospital, she claims to be sick and—as lunchtime approaches—she slips away unnoticed.

After stopping by a gas station to refresh her appearance, Ellen arrives at the restaurant and drinks a cocktail while she waits for Hooper. When he arrives, he also has a drink, and they joke about becoming “impetuous” (96). As lunch goes on, they become more flirtatious. They don’t talk about Brody, Ellen’s children, or the shark. The conversation becomes sexually explicit, and they discuss “fantasies” (99). Hooper plans a “very interesting” theoretical trip to a motel where they could conduct an affair (101).

Hooper and Ellen drive to a motel and have sex.