Alfieri sets the scene from his desk. It is the December 23rd and Catherine and Rodolpho are, for the first time, alone together in the house.

While Catherine cuts out a pattern of cloth, Rodolpho watches. Catherine questions Rodolpho on if he would still want to marry her if they had to move back to Italy. Rodolpho, tells Catherine that he would not marry her if they had to live in Italy. 

Rodolpho wants Catherine to be his wife and he wants to be a citizen. Catherine is wrong to think he would marry her just to gain citizenship. 

Rodolpho believes the only reason he wants to be an American is to have the opportunity to work, that is the only advantage. 

Catherine reveals that she is fearful of Eddie’s reaction toward her marriage and Rodolpho eventually calms her down. Catherine cries and Rodolpho takes her to the bedroom.

Eddie is now drunk and therefore unsteady on his feet. He appears below the apartment on the street. Eddie goes into the apartment as Catherine leaves the bedroom. 

Eddie sees Rodolpho come out of the bedroom and immediately demands Rodolpho to pack up his bags and leave the house. 

Catherine heads towards the bedroom and tells Eddie that she is the one that needs to leave. Eddie grabs Catherine and kisses her on the mouth. Rodolpho requests that Eddie respect Catherine, his wife to be. 

Eddie winds up Rodolpho and Rodolpho lunges toward him, Eddie stops him. Laughing, holding Rodolpho’s arms, Eddie suddenly kisses him. Catherine tears the two apart.

Alfieri’s office is once again lit on the stage. It is now December 27 and Eddie has come once again to Alfieri’s office for advice. 

Alferi informs Eddie that he should in fact allow Catherine to marry Rodolpho. After exiting Alfieri’s office, Eddie calls the Immigration Bureau and reports Marco and Rodolpho. 

Upon returning home Eddie finds Beatrice packing up Christmas decorations. Marco and Rodolpho have been moved upstairs to live with Mrs. Dondero. Beatrice and Eddie argue about their relationship and Beatrice tells Eddie that Catherine and Rodolpho are going to be married next week. 

Beatrice suggests that Eddie give Catherine and Rodolpho his good word and even attend the wedding. Eddie refuses to talk to her and moves toward the door. As he does so, Catherine appears at the door of the apartment.

Catherine informs Eddie that the wedding is on Saturday and he can come if he likes. Eddie tries to convince Catherine otherwise, but she her mind is made up. 

Eddie tells Catherine that she must make Marco and Rodolpho move. Eddie thinks it is unsafe for them to be living with Mrs. Dondero because she is housing two other illegal immigrants. 

As Eddie is speaking, the Immigration police appear outside the house. Catherine rushes upstairs in an attempt to get Marco and Rodolpho out of the house before the police enter, but she is unsuccessful. 

Marco, Rodolpho and the two other immigrants are taken to jail. As they exit Marco spits in Eddie’s face. 

Alferi pays bail for Marco and Rodolpho, with a promise that neither will hurt Eddie in any way. Rodolpho will still marry Catherine and be an American, but Marco will be deported soon.

It is now Catherine’s wedding day and she is getting ready in her bedroom. Eddie is still adamant that he won’t go to the ceremony and stubbornly sits in his rocking chair. 

Eddie has lost all respect in the community as he called Immigration on Rodolpho and Marco. Rodolpho enters the room to collect Catherine and Beatrice for the wedding and suggests that Eddie leave the room because Marco is arriving. 

Eddie refuses this and Rodolpho apologises for everything and even reaches to kiss Eddie’s hand, but Eddie pulls it away. 

Marco appears outside the apartment and calls out Eddie’ name. Eddie and Marco exchange words and Eddie desperately attempts to justify his cause in front of the crowd of community members that have gathered. 

Eddie attempts to stab Marco, but Marco grabs his arm and turns the blade inward toward Eddie. Eddie dies in Beatrice’s arms.