Chapter 77

Carl's team races against the clock to reach the exit after clearing all seven gates. They find Prepotente emotionally overwhelmed in Miriam's what-if apartment, playing piano in New York City while he contemplates an alternate timeline where she never had children. Carl convinces Prepotente to leave, they escape the toxic environment, and finish the race in second place, learning that Team Free Love was eliminated.

With ten minutes remaining before the race times out, Carl's team leaves Marjory and Alicia and travels to apartment 130, where they discover Gate Seven. They find Jurgen waiting outside a containment zone where Prepotente sits listening to Miriam playing Beethoven on a piano. Carl consumes a full cup of Splooge potion to enter the toxic environment and confronts Prepotente, who is devastated by the what-if scenario showing his mother as a successful concert pianist in New York City who never had children. Prepotente expresses feelings of isolation and rejection, wishing he'd never taken the pet biscuit that gave him sentience. Carl notices prescription bottles on the kitchen counter and observes that Miriam, despite her luxurious apartment, appears unhappy and alone. Carl argues that what-if scenarios are destructive thought loops, reminds Prepotente that his mother wouldn't have been truly happy without her family, and tells him he is always welcome with them. Prepotente hugs Carl emotionally and asks to be called Pony. The group exits quickly, passing the wreckage of Team Free Love's van, and Carl holds Donut as they approach the finish line. They complete the race in second place with minutes to spare, learning that Osvaldo's lie saved his team and that Team Free Love was eliminated.