The union and management are still at a standoff in their negotiations, which have broken off, leaving most specifically the orchestra members needing to find other jobs to live. Hailey has decided to accept the position created for her in AWE - the Andrew Walsh Ensemble - whose self-promoting mantra is "shock and AWE". The ensemble is preparing for a European tour which Hailey hopes to treat as a working vacation. Before enjoying the tour, she will have to get over the hurdle of what ends up being her animosity toward Andrew, who, despite his fame and she having slept with him that one time, she considers not much of a musician or maestro, especially compared to Rodrigo. Meanwhile, Rodrigo is in Venice at the request of operatic soprano Alessandra - more affectionately referred to as La Fiamma by her adoring fans - to be the maestro at her comeback concert after a four year self-imposed hiatus, he the only person she trusts in this role. Rodrigo will find that his dealings with La Fiamma are a little more complex that he probably first envisioned.
—Huggo