Episode 2 of "The Dropout" commences with a fresh face on the scene—Engineer Edmond Ku, nestled comfortably at home with his family, until Rakesh, Elizabeth's alma mater compatriot, arrives to chauffeur him to work. Elizabeth has summoned Edmond, Rakesh, and the renowned chemist Ian Gibbons to collaborate on a groundbreaking invention—the RDX Metabolic Profiler. After countless hours of toil and dedication, they unveil the initial prototype. But before testing its prowess, Elizabeth ignites her team with an electrifying speech.
"What audacious feats would you dare to pursue if failure were not an option?" she challenges them. Their efforts, she says, are the first bricks in building a bridge to universal healthcare. Together, they shall reshape the world.
Amidst thunderous applause, anticipation builds for the moment of truth… yet the maiden test of the prototype fails to yield a reading. "It's but a hiccup," Elizabeth reassures, just as the lights flicker, a consequence of overdue electricity bills. Despite having raised a substantial $6 million, their funds are rapidly dwindling. Their next move involves pharmaceutical companies, but they require a functional prototype—and without further funds for research, such a prototype remains elusive.
Two years have elapsed since Elizabeth's departure from Stanford. Her lack of a degree often leaves her at a disadvantage with potential investors, most of whom dismiss her ambitions. Yet, Don Lucas offers a ray of hope, rescheduling her appointment.
One night, Elizabeth and Ian delve into experiments in the lab. She confesses her inexperience, acknowledging that she's not a chemist. But Ian praises her vision, declaring that she possesses a rare gift. He reveals that he joined Theranos because he was a frequent victim of needle pricks during his cancer treatments. Elizabeth's endeavor, he says, could revolutionize treatment for those like him.
The following day, Don Lucas arrives unexpectedly at Theranos. He desires to hear her pitch for the RDX Metabolic Profiler and witness the prototype in action. However, unimpressed by the lack of a functional machine, he prepares to depart. Suddenly, Elizabeth springs into action, stopping him in his tracks. She delivers an impassioned speech, detailing how the blood testing industry is monopolized by two archaic giants. She speaks in Lucas's language, convincing him that with his support, they can empower Americans to exercise greater freedom and control over their healthcare.
As her captivating narrative drew to a close, she had triumphantly swayed him to her side. Overcome with enthusiasm, he eagerly offered to introduce her to Larry Ellison, the esteemed CEO of Oracle Corporation. On the fateful day of Elizabeth's encounter with Larry, she had another plan in mind: to introduce Sunny to her parents. Larry greeted her warmly on his opulent yacht, promising to arrange a meeting with a preeminent pharmaceutical company if she could deliver a compelling demonstration. However, Larry cautioned her, noting her lack of the necessary assertiveness and resilience required of a CEO.
As the crucial connection was within her grasp, her phone rang, shattering the moment with news of her father's sudden collapse and hospitalization. She hastened to his bedside, only to find Sunny had already arrived and taken charge with utmost composure. Her father inquired about her abrupt departure, sternly admonishing her to return to her work, reminding her that their entire investment in her education hinged on this venture.
Returning to Theranos, Elizabeth found the staff indulging in Edmond's birthday celebration. Remembering Larry's words, she sternly reprimanded them for their leisurely ways, vowing to institute a stringent work schedule, demanding nearly round-the-clock dedication until they achieved a functional prototype.
After countless grueling hours, they finally secured a promising reading from a mere drop of Rakesh's blood. Their jubilation was palpable as they prepared to showcase their demo to Novartis in Switzerland. Yet, in the hotel room, the machine repeatedly malfunctioned, leaving Elizabeth and Rakesh scrambling for a solution. In a flash of inspiration, Elizabeth inquired if they still possessed the previous successful reading, and they hastily swapped it for the demo.
As Elizabeth presented the demo to the company heads, Rakesh's discomfort was evident. But as she placed a drop of her own blood into the prototype, a successful reading materialized, leaving the audience in awe. However, only Elizabeth and Rakesh knew the truth behind the deception.
Returning to Silicon Valley, Elizabeth triumphantly announced the $165 million deal with Novartis. The Theranos employees rejoiced, and Elizabeth indulged in a rapturous celebration, her elation evident in her drunken state. Meanwhile, Edmond, sensing something amiss, conducted his own experiments with the prototype. Upon realizing its flawed nature, he confronted Rakesh, who assured him that their secret would remain intact.
Elizabeth's secretary, mistakenly assuming she required a ride home, contacted Sunny using her boss's phone. But the enraged CEO promptly dismissed her. Later, Elizabeth confessed to Sunny about the deception, urging him to keep it a secret. She confessed that she didn't feel emotions the same way others did, but declared her love for him. The evening culminated in a drunken Elizabeth screaming from Sunny's car, vowing to revolutionize the world with her groundbreaking technology.
