Steppenwolf leaves the professor’s house and decides to commit suicide that night; however, he realizes that he is afraid of death, and even more frightened of bringing about his own death. Unable to change his mind, he decides to walk the streets in a desperate attempt to delay his impending suicide.
He visits The Black Eagle, a public dancehall, and meets a young woman at the bar. He asks if he can join her, simply stating that he “cannot possibly go home, cannot, cannot.” Steppenwolf explains his behavior at the professor’s house. She admonishes him for not having learned how to dance; then she orders him to eat, drink, and sleep.
Steppenwolf drifts off to sleep at the table and dreams that he is a reporter waiting to interview Goethe. A black scorpion tries to climb up Steppenwolf’s leg and then disappears. Goethe appears and states that he and the other Immortals have not been appreciated. Steppenwolf agrees but states that Goethe has fallen short because he has not been straightforward. When Goethe begins to recite a poem, Steppenwolf realizes that he is wrong, but he says nothing.
Steppenwolf faults Goethe, arguing that he has known the “consuming despair” of the human state, but he chose to deceive everyone by claiming that “faith” and “optimism” meant something. Goethe reminds Steppenwolf of Mozart and The Magic Flute, but Steppenwolf argues that Mozart and Goethe cannot be compared since Mozart died a young man. As the dream ends, Steppenwolf inquires about Molly, and Goethe opens a small box to reveal a tiny likeness of a woman’s leg. Steppenwolf realizes it’s the scorpion in disguise, and he awakens.
The young woman returns, informs Steppenwolf that she is leaving with someone else, then secures a room for him at the club. Before she leaves, Steppenwolf asks her to dinner, and she agrees. She informs him that she understands his feelings toward Goethe and his behavior at the professor’s house because she feels the same way toward artists’ renditions of the saints. Steppenwolf realizes he has discovered someone who can relate to him, and he’s grateful.
