The Cellar

The time note reads “Tuesday, December 14th (Present)” (144), five months after Clover abducted Summer. She still has hope of escape, maybe even before Clover rapes her, which Poppy suggests may happen around six months. When she tries to talk to Poppy about getting out, Poppy says she is estranged from her family, so no one is looking for her. To Poppy, survival is primary.

The next day, the three young women struggle to prepare for breakfast on time. Once Clover arrives, polite conversation stops when he sees that the poppies have died. In a rage, he slaps Rose, smacks Poppy into the table, and hits Summer in the jaw.

In a flashback, it is Wednesday, May 9, 2007; Clover feels the family is “unbalanced” as it currently has no Rose. Simultaneously, Clover has fallen for a young woman named Shannen. He wants to have a “traditional relationship” with her. Estranged from her family, Shannen stays at a hostel; Clover wants to provide safety. He offers to take her out for Indian food. They have a nice dinner, and Clover drives her to his house afterward with the excuse of needing to use the bathroom before taking her back to the hostel.