Episode 3 of Paper Girls kicks off with Larry, headphones and blindfold in place, frantically dictating a message to himself against the backdrop of a sickly pink sky. He reveals his affiliation with the STF Underground, mentions the crucial asset residing in the Grandfather's office, and hastily notes the year 2019. Prepared for the unknown, he sits, tense and waiting.
Jennifer, however, is not so fortunate. Though she has recorded a similar message, her memory is hazy; she cannot recall Larry or the significance of the Underground. Larry's intricate plan begins to unravel, but a sudden message interrupts, informing him that the system is now armed—the same system activated by a past version of Erin in the previous episode. Unaware of her pursuer, Erin now walks into Larry's trap.
The older Erin catches up with the kids, apologizing for the chaos. With Mac missing, the trio hitch a ride to search for her, unaware that Mac is already at the hospital, desperately searching for her brother. Dylan's arrival is a shocking revelation; his sister, who passed away at 16, is now standing before him. Mac is stunned, disbelief and anger mingling within her. She leaves her Walkman, Dylan's, on the table, a mixtape tucked inside.
Dylan performs a swift DNA test, confirming Mac's identity as his sister. He decides to handle the situation discretely, driving her away from the hospital without involving the authorities. Unfortunately, their departure coincides with Erin and the others' arrival. While the kids remain in the backseat, Larry attacks the older Erin in the parking lot and speeds away. Shocked, the kids rush to follow, their driving skills barely sufficient for the chase.
Larry's house is a veritable booby trap, spikes hidden beneath the road. The girls blunder into the trap, their car eventually grinding to a halt. Larry captures them, imprisoning them in his basement alongside the captive Erin.
As the sun rises, Larry orders the captives to join him for breakfast. He demands to know the purpose of the mysterious device and who they work for. Gradually, he realizes that the paper girls are travelers, thrust into this era.
He explains that the STF, or Standard Time Fighters, exist to counter the Old Watch, a group committed to preserving the timeline as it is. The STF Underground, however, seeks to alter history for the better, challenging the Old Watch's oppressive rule. Larry believes that disruption leads to progress, aiming to correct injustices like income inequality and the widening gap between the rich and poor. The Old Watch, he warns, feeds its enemies to dinosaurs and is closing in on the girls. Tragically, the girls' unauthorized time travel is a capital offense, making them targets. Fortunately, Larry offers a solution—a colossal mecha robot.
