Next day, Effy is in the office, hard at work. She looks none the worse for wear; in fact, she tries to wake up the sleeping Jane, but not before Victoria notices and chastises her. Effy informs Victoria about what she noticed in the monthly report - some of the numbers haven't been updated from the previous report - and fears that it may look to the investors as though they're trying to hide something. Victoria brushes off her concern, thanking her for trying.
Effy is in the meeting taking notes. An associate named Mark is stumbling through his report, apparently unfamiliar with the material, much to the dismay of boss-man not-Freddie who is running the meeting. Called out on his behavior, Mark admits that he was out late with a client, but not-Freddie isn't interested:
Boss: Thanks, Mark - that was shit.
Mark: Yeah, but accurate.
Boss: Congratulations. Have a cookie.
The meeting is wrapping up, but then Victoria notices Effy's notes on the monthly report Effy gave her earlier. She points out the error, much to everyone's dismay. The boss - we finally learn his name, Jake - orders the error fixed and the miscreant fired, because they don't want it to look like they're scamming the investors.
Victoria gets the credit, praise, and a kiss on the cheek, and Effy is asked to get the coffees for everyone else. Effy, having been burned by the office politics, dumps the coffee task on Jane and stalks out of the office.
Effy seems to have gotten with the dress code today. Jane and Victoria were both wearing blue dresses yesterday and again today. Effy is wearing a blue skirt today and a blue jacket. She may just be in a convenient disguise, however…
Effy sneaks into a different office building, this one with shades of blue in the background and glass, and ends up at Dominic's office. Dominic spots her and immediately spills his coffee all over his desk… and then decides he doesn't need to clean it up before rushing to greet her. Effy isn't supposed to be in his office, he says, and she admits that, but she needs a drink, now, and wants him to come with her. "Right, of course," Dominic says, because beautiful women come by in the middle of every workday and demand his company in skiving off, and then reiterates that Effy, as an employee of a hedge fund, is not allowed there. His office mate, hearing of Effy's employer, panics and begins turning off his monitors. Dominic swears his office mate to secrecy, with the promise of some light blackmail, and departs with Effy.
On the Tube, it looks like Dominic leans in and sniffs Effy's shoulder, she notices and smiles, and he does it again. Sightly odd and creepy, or sweetly romantic? You decide. They arrive at Effy's flat, the exterior of which bears a sign: The City. I'm assuming she lives above a pub, one which chose a generic/ambiguous name on purpose. "Where should we meet?" How about The City?" / "Nah, love, I'm still in The City, but I'll be home soon." I used to work near the similarly-named "The Office", but I digress… Dominic compliments the flat, and Effy reveals that it's very expensive.
Naomi, in her pajamas, greets the suit-and-tie clad Dominic. He reveals that he's a "research strategist", meaning that he "research[es] stuff. Strategically." Naomi turns to Effy, "I thought you said they were all dicks?" "No," says Dominic, charmingly, "I work in a completely different building."
Naomi suddenly winces in pain and clutches her left side. Effy is concerned, but Naomi reassures her: she's a "hysterical dyke", and the doctor has said she has "hormonal hypochondria". The doctor thinks she's only seeking attention, it seems. Naomi offers Effy a spliff, but she declines saying that they have work to do. Naomi protests, "I've been on my own all day," but is ignored.
We've now learned that Naomi has been in physical pain, for some time, and it's going untreated, Her lover, the person most likely to notice and make a fuss, is in another country. Her flatmate, the person next most likely to notice, is distracted by work.
On the roof, Effy has changed into casual wear - a Flashdance-style, one-shoulder-bared pink top that shows off a white undershirt and blue bra strap. Dominic, of course, is still in his suit. "What are we doing?" he asks. "I want to know," says Effy, "Everything that you know". It emerges that she wants to know how the financial world works, and hands Dominic a piece of chalk to begin his lecture. Dominic unashamedly admits a lot, rambles a bit about where to begin, but responds to the slightly stunned look in Effy's eyes and manages to adjust his course.
Next comes a montage of Dominic drawing in chalk, teaching, and Effy looking engrossed and asking questions. He circles the phrase "Short selling" at one point, and then explains how hedge funds work, and we hear "You can win it now". The lesson concludes with Effy agreeing that she understands, and thanking Dom. We zoom up and out to see that the pavement is covered in a multicolored chalk concept map with formulas, pie charts, and concepts defined. The concept map would do any autistic Bristol boy proud, but this one manages to look more coherent and rational than what we saw on JJ's wall.
Effy walks over with a smile to thank Dom, and he tries for a kiss. She draws back quickly, correcting him, and he stammers into an apology/non-apology. The moment is saved from further awkwardness by Naomi approaching, yelling, "Shout if you're naked, shout if you're naked…" OK, maybe not so much "saved from" as "plunged into"… Naomi is hoping she can try out her comedy routine on them. Dominic is eager to please, Effy less so. Naomi's routine starts off awkwardly,and gets worse. She makes a London-specific joke, picking on bankers. Everybody likes to pick on bankers, right? Especially two financial professionals… ouch. Know your audience, Naomi! Dominic reassures her that it's funny, and seems sincere. Effy goes for the white lie, and agrees. Naomi is reassured, and they settle down for a rest.
In the next scene, Effy is back in the office, making photocopies. Her dress is mainly blue today, with a white strip and a red stripe. Jane comes running up with a crisis: she forgot to cancel Victoria's meeting with an investor that starts in 5 minutes. Effy wonders why Jane stopped to tell her this, and Jane curses and runs off. "Run, Jane, run", Effy calls after her. Victoria's meeting arrives in the building lobby, and Jane is doomed. She needs to go greet the client, and thinks Victoria is going to fire her. Effy agrees that it's likely,and offers to greet the client herself.
Effy arrives in the lobby. The furniture is white, the walls are red, and we can see reflections of blue buildings in the glass. Oddly, the stripes on Effy's dress have swapped sides - perhaps this shot is mirrored? Effy greets the investor and makes apologies for Victoria. She's then says that Victoria has asked her to cover the meeting, and takes the investor to lunch.
This is the Effy we know! Bold, impetuous, and willing to risk it all.
At lunch, the investor is playing hard to get, literally. "I keep telling Victoria we're just not that into you", he says. He asks why Effy's firm is suddenly interested and Effy reveals that she knows his firm is having liquidity issues. She's done her research. She has his attention. Effy expounds on the situation as lunch continues. She plies him with wine, and she drinks water. The meeting ends, he's smiling, and he reaches across the table to shake her hand.
Later that day, Victoria is giving Effy a blocking for taking the meeting in her stead. Victoria is now in a bright yellow shirt, and they're in the same conference room where Effy interrupted Victoria and Jake. Jake is there again too, and he steps in when Victoria starts cursing at Effy. Victoria storms out in a huff. Effy asks if she's fired and Jake confirms it. Effy objects, only for Jake to explain what could have been lost. Effy points out that she didn't lose them the investor. Jake acknowledges that the investor (Stibbard) liked her, but brushes it aside and repeats that she's done. Effy storms out, calling him a pussy, and once again Jake shakes his head and laughs. Cut to black.
Back at Effy's desk, everything is shaded red again as we look through the wall. She informs Jane that she's leaving, and Jane is appropriately horrified. Jane begins ranting about the situation, proceeding to personal attacks against the management before realizing that Jake has walked up behind her. Jane quickly runs away in fear. Jake has reconsidered, we learn, and he asks Effy to stop scowling at him. He asks her if she could handle this client's investment, and offers her a chance to be the trader for this client. Effy pushes her luck, asking about policies, and then about a raise. No raise, he says, as he walks away. Effy is smiling, and doesn't have to unpack. She watches him leave, then sighs.
Dark scene, red lighting. Happy string music playing. Effy is in the club, wearing a red dress, dancing. Bouncing with joy, really, head thrown back, laughing.