Elsewhere in Trenton, a perky blonde hung up Cuddy's phone and retrieved her bag of Doritos from the vending machine. Turning around, she clacked through the hall in high heels, took a seat in a lush white waiting room, and waited for the meeting to end. Eventually, Dr. Cuddy emerged from an office with a clipboard in her hands and a tired expression. "Hi, Joy. Sorry. I thought we'd be done a long time ago."

"I took a call for you. Eric Foreman? Said he's a friend of yours."

"He is. What did he want?"

"He didn't specify. I told him you were out of town."

"Fine, thank you." The pair of women began walking down the hallway. "Listen, I need you to book another night at the hotel and call Judith about the shipment. Oh, and tell her her ass is on the line this time. I have another conference across town in half an hour."

"Uh, Dr. Cuddy," Joy said awkwardly. "There's something I should tell you."

"What?" Cuddy asked, tensely.

"There were actually two guys on the phone and one of them screamed at me. Told me to tell you to 'get your ass back to work.'"

"Well, what the hell does he think I'm doing?" Cuddy demanded. "The nerve of some people. Look, I'm sorry you had to deal with that, but I really need you to call Judith. Okay?" Cuddy turned and began walking quickly towards the exit. Joy scrambled after her.

"I think Eric...might have been calling because of him. It sounds urgent."

Cuddy sighed, turning to face her assistant. "Did you get a name?"

"House? I think?"

Cuddy went very still, staring at Joy with a stern expression on her face. "Uh, no, it couldn't be. It's impossible." But, as she continued to look at Joy, she had to wonder who else would speak to her that way. Joy studied Cuddy's dazed look. Cuddy tucked the clipboard under her arm. "Uh, forget the hotel. Just postpone the conference with my sincere apologies. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, Dr. Cuddy. Goodnight."

"Uh-huh," Cuddy muttered. And she turned around and walked quickly to the exit. She stormed the parking lot, got into her car, and began speeding through the streets; staring unblinkingly at the road, her jaw set as her mind reeled.