CHAPTER 24 “The Afternoon Depression Zone”

Walter's boss, KCTV executive producer Phil Lebensmal, orders Walter to dress Elizabeth in skin-tight clothes and have her make a cocktail at the end of each episode to make her "sexy" for TV. Elizabeth rejects all dresses, calling them uncomfortable, and suggests she wear a lab coat instead. Walter lies that the set kitchen isn't ready for her to see the lab equipment she requested. The set has been ready for a while, but only as a "Good Housekeeping" kitchen without the equipment Walter knows Elizabeth will hate.

Walter tells Elizabeth that she must entertain the audience since her show will air after the "Afternoon Depression Zone" of TV time. Between 1:30 and 5 PM, productivity drops for everyone. This time usually airs children's or game shows "designed to let the brain rest".

Due to their workload, homemakers must endure this slump. Supper at Six, Elizabeth's show, airs at 4:30 PM, when people are recovering. Walter says Elizabeth must entertain housewives to energize them for dinner.

Walter comforts Elizabeth after learning that she is unmarried and Madeline's father is dead, but he advises her not to tell the show's producers. Walter says he's not Amanda's father. Despite this, he adores the child. They also discover that Mrs. Mudford has summoned them to discuss their children, and they bond over her mistaken belief that they are unfit parents for different reasons. Walter suggests that Elizabeth wear something from her closet for the show, even though a lab coat is out.