After stopping by the drugstore to pick up the notebook and pencil that he promised Jefferson, Grant meets Miss Emma, Tante Lou, and Rev. Ambrose in front of the courthouse. In Paul's absence, they are searched and escorted to the dayroom by the chief deputy. As soon as Jefferson is brought in, Miss Emma sets the table and dishes up her special gumbo, but Jefferson refuses to eat. Sensing Miss Emma's disappointment, Grant asks Jefferson to walk with him. As they walk around the room, he tells Jefferson that he wants to be his friend, explaining that a friend is someone who will do anything to please a friend. He then asks Jefferson to be a friend to his nannan by eating some of her gumbo. Jefferson responds with a slight nod.
Grant goes on to tell Jefferson that he wants him to be a hero, explaining that a hero is someone who does little things for others. Determined to convince Jefferson that he is a human being worthy of dignity and respect, Grant explains that the myth of white supremacy has been created by whites to subjugate blacks and urges him to look beyond the myth in order to realize and reclaim his self-worth. When Jefferson starts to cry, Grant realizes that he has finally gotten through to him. To illustrate his point, he cites the example of Mr. Farrell making a slingshot handle out of bits of scrap wood, explaining that people are like pieces of driftwood until they decide to become something better. As Jefferson continues to cry, Grant leads him back to the table to eat some of his nan-nan's gumbo.
