In the sixth episode of "Boy Swallows Universe," titled "Boy Gets Job," we leap forward three years, finding Eli now a seventeen-year-old young man. It has been nearly three years since the events of the preceding chapter, yet Lyle's fate remains a mystery shrouded in uncertainty—whether he still breathes or has departed from their world.
We are also made aware that Bich Dang, once vibrant and full of life, is now disabled. Her son, Darren, who inherited her business, finds himself ensnared behind bars. Robert, on the other hand, has embarked on a journey of sobriety and now wields a firmer grip on the reins of his life. Meanwhile, Frankie's impending release looms within the horizon, just a couple of days away, and the boys are eager to unearth the treasure they buried and invest it in a new home.
Despite some changes, certain constants remain steadfast: Eli continues to pen heartfelt letters to his incarcerated friend, Alex Bermuda, sharing the intricacies of his life and his pressing woes. The boys finally embrace their mother with a sigh of profound relief, their hearts assured that she will remain by their side. They reminisce fondly about the daring Christmas Day prison break Eli orchestrated to visit their mother. Eli and Gus reveal their well-guarded secret—they've amassed sufficient funds and are poised to purchase a house and relocate to The Gap.
Frankie, appreciative of their offer, reveals a twist in her tale, her decision already etched in stone. She announces her intentions to move in with Teddy Kallas, whom she has fallen deeply in love with. Eli's heart harbors resentment towards Teddy, blaming him for Lyle's plight. Unable to sway Frankie from her decision, Eli storms off in a fit of anger.
Days later, Eli extends an olive branch to Frankie, suggesting she come live with Robert. However, she politely declines. In a gesture of kindness, Frankie offers Eli a chance to join her world with Teddy.
Tensions flare up between the brothers as Gus donates every penny to Shelly, his long-time friend battling muscular dystrophy. This puts Eli in a dire strait, left with neither an option nor any finances, prompting him to seek employment at the newspaper agency. Regrettably, Eli arrives a few months after the application deadline, yet somehow manages to squeeze in an interview—only to find out that the hiring process had already concluded. For Frankie's sake, Eli and Gus reluctantly agree to temporarily reside with Kallas and her, sharing space for a fortnight.
Meanwhile, in the nursing home, Caitlyn crosses paths with Bich Dang, inquiring about Lyle Orlik's fate. Bich Dang remains tight-lipped, haunted by a perpetual fear of assassination. In vain, Caitlyn hands Bich Dang her card, urging her to reach out if she ever wishes to unburden herself.
Trouble stirs between Kallas and the boys when Eli confesses to being the one who informed on Lyle, potentially leading to his disappearance and demise. The sudden, violent slamming of doors and subsequent commotion reveal Kallas's deep resentment towards being labeled a whistleblower or "rat." Matters escalate drastically when Kallas attempts to suffocate Frankie, but Eli intervenes, knocking him unconscious.
Homeless and desperate, Frankie returns to Robert's house with her sons. Upon sobering up, Kallas storms to Robert's place, armed with a baseball bat, intending to reclaim Frankie. However, he is met with a fierce confrontation by Alex Bermuda—the same individual Eli has been penning heartfelt letters to. As the episode draws to a close, Ivan sneaks into Bich Dang's room, using a pillow to silence her forever, ensuring she poses no threat to him or his associates by spilling the beans.
