Barb is sitting in her living room getting interviewed by someone who looks like he was just unwrapped. He's still got that new-pol gleam on his hair and his khaki's are flawlessly pressed. Tod the Toadie is telling Barb that her charity work was okay, but what really sealed the deal was her metastasizing cancer. Everyone loves a plucky and photogenic survivor! Barb is somewhat taken aback by the fact that this random twist of fate is considered more desirable than any of the qualities she's tried to cultivate. As Rhonda eavesdrops in the stairwell, Tod the Toadie tells Barb that "As a spokesperson for all the mothers in Utah, poise and presence count...in the event you win, you are available to give speeches and make public appearances?" Barb blows the poise segment with "Speeches? Um...yes." Tod the Toadie would like to know if Barb can attend overnight events. Barb does not think of how well Nicki will react to this news. She punts with, "I had no idea this was so demanding." Tod the Toadie replies, "You'd be a statewide role model." Barb fantasizes about this for a moment before snapping to and remembering that she's still being interviewed.

Outside, Margene's rolling her new lawn; we see this through Barb's window. Barb stomps into the kitchen and goes to check the fridge for something; she's distracted from her survey of the defrosting chicken by Nicki wandering in via the back door. Barb kvetches, "I thought that interview would never end. It's getting kind of late to start chicken..." and Nicki offers, "I made sloppy joes." Barb is bowled over by this peace offering. Nicki edges into the kitchen and Barb asks, "So? What are we going to do?" Nicki doesn't say anything; she only looks unhappy. Barb spreads her hands and says, "I can't promise that I'd live The Principle if Bill died. But I love you. And I love those two little boys like they were my very own. And I would certainly raise them to respect it and value those who struggle to make it work." Nicki crosses the kitchen and stands closer to Barb, smiling tentatively. Then she asks, "Do you think I'm warm?" Barb doesn't even have to think about it: "No." Nicki actually looks stricken by this, but Barb leans in and gives her an affectionate shoulder bump. Nicki smiles, and turns to watch Margene rolling away. Barb watches too, saying, "If she dies and I die and Bill dies, then you get Lester and Aaron." Nicki nods and says, "Yes. And if she dies and I die and Bill dies, you get Lester and Aaron." And when Margene folds up and collapses, it looks like that hypothetical conversation might get real concrete in a hurry. Nicki gives a panicked look to Barb before heading outside; Barb stands there, shouting, "Margie?" I have to say, I like how that was played: it shows the way the two wives relate to each other, and how they approach emergency situations.