Severance

Candace catalogs the changes that occur in the month after Jonathan leaves New York. Shen Fever appears and begins to spread rapidly, with the death toll rising above 200,000 before being obscured from the public. The US issues a travel ban on all Asian countries, and Spectra institutes an optional work-from-home policy which almost everyone takes advantage of. Candace attempts to contact her relatives in China but doesn’t hear back. One day, Michael offers her the opportunity to be part of a temporary onsite team that will remain in the offices, overseeing operations while others are on leave. He shows her a contract which promises a “delirious” amount of money. Michael urges Candace to take her time and consider the ramifications of accepting the offer before hesitantly informing her that Steven is fevered. Thinking of all the things the money would buy her—a better apartment, designer clothing, longer maternity leave—she signs the contract.

From her confinement in the L’Occitane store, Candace observes the daily rituals of the other survivors. They work on weekdays and take weekends off; a cadence Candace is excluded from. The lack of a set schedule is tortuous, warping her perception of time.