The lights focus on Alfieri, who offers a brief narration and commentary on Eddie. Alferi elaborates that the future is always unknown , that normal men like Eddie don’t believe they have a destiny.

Eddie stands in the doorway of the house, looking for Catherine and Rodolpho who have gone to a movie. 

Beatrice walks in from the street and approaches Eddie. Beatrice suggests that Eddie stop worrying and come into the house. Eddie explains to Beatrice he is worried about Catherine’s relationship with Rodolpho. 

Beatrice questions Eddie , wondering what is wrong with Rodolpho, and what he wants from him. Eddie explains that Rodolpho makes him feel odd, and that he’s heard that Rodolpho sings on the ships and the men even call Rodolpho ‘Paper Doll.’

Eddie is disturbed with Rodolpho’s strange blonde hair. Eddie explains to Beatrice that he gets a general bad feeling from the boy and cannot understand why she doesn’t share his view. 

Beatrice explains that she has other worries, in particular how Beatrice and Eddie have not had a sexual relationship in three months. Eddie refuses to talk about this issue, and he only talks about Catherine.

Eddie heads outside for a walk and meets Louis and Mike. Louis and Mike praise Eddie for keeping Marco and Rodolpho. They inform Eddie that Marco is a strong worker, but Rodolpho is a big joker on the ships. 

Louis and Mike laugh when they discuss about Rodolpho and tell Eddie that Rodolpho is funny. Rodolpho and Catherine finally return from the movie. 

Eddie is relieved to hear that Rodolpho and Catherine went to the Brooklyn Paramount, as he worries about Catherine hanging around Times Square. 

Rodolpho says that he would like to go to Times Square to see the bright lights he had dreamed of since he was a young boy.

Rodolpho leaves and Catherine and Eddie are now alone. Catherine wants to know why Eddie refuses to talk to Rodolpho. 

Rodolpho questions why Catherine will not speak with him. Catherine tries to convince Eddie that Rodolpho likes him and that he should like Rodolpho. 

Eddie explains to Catherine he is worried about Rodolpho. Eddie suspects that Rodolpho only wants to have a relationship with Catherine to get a green card and become an American citizen. 

Catherine refuses these accusations, as she thinks that Rodolpho loves her, and rushes into the house sobbing.

When inside the house, Eddie shouts again that Rodolpho is no good, and leaves the house. 

Catherine and Beatrice are now alone. Beatrice is angry at Eddie’s passionate fury and talks directly to Catherine. Beatrice informs Catherine that she is a woman and must make her own decisions about marriage. 

Beatrice tells Catherine that to be a woman she must act like a woman. During the women’s conversation, Beatrice suggests that Eddie might think she was jealous of Catherine, but assures Catherine she is not. The idea of jealousy between she and Catherine over Eddie is a great surprise to Catherine.

Eddie visits Alfieri and asks if there is any way that he can prevent Catherine from marrying Rodolpho. 

Eddie responds that Rodolpho is only marrying Catherine to gain citizenship, but Alfieri informs him he has no proof and the law is not interested in such things. 

Eddie begs Alfieri and desperately suggests that Rodolpho might even be homosexual. Alfieri tells  Eddie to ‘let Catherine go’ . 

He explains that he has too much love for her and must wish her luck and let her marry Rodolpho. Helpless and near to tears, Eddie leaves the office.