The Business Trip

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes a discussion of death, rape, child abuse, physical abuse, and substance use.

In Madison, Wisconsin, bartender Jasmine Veronica Littleton prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend, Glenn. Three days after a violent fight in which he hit and raped her, Jasmine crushes Ambien into Glenn’s beer and sneaks out of the house while he is sleeping. For months, she has been secretly saving money from work and stealing from Glenn’s wallet in order to pay for a flight to Denver, Colorado, in cash. At the airport, she puts on a disguise and prays that she makes it to Denver before Glenn notices she is gone and tries to find her.

Stephanie Monroe, a divorced news director for a Madison television station, prepares to fly from Denver to San Diego, California, for a news conference. She resents that the station boss always chooses her for out-of-town events because her son, Evan, is grown and she lives alone. Despite this, she resolves to have a good time in San Diego, including meeting up with a new friend, Diana, who she believes will help her have a good time. She leaves cat care instructions for her neighbor and friend Robert before taking an Ambien and falling asleep.