As usual, Alfred's eyes snap open at 5:30 sharp on the morning of his first fight. However, he will not take his usual run this day. Aunt Pearl wonders if he is sick. Alfred is evasive, because he doesn't want her to worry about the fight and is concerned that she might try to stop him from doing it. He says he has a secret. Aunt Pearl respects that.
Henry comes by at 10:00, and he and Alfred meet Mr. Donatelli for lunch at noon. Alfred and Henry take a taxi to Spoon's apartment where Alfred can rest through the afternoon. They are impressed by Spoon's expansive collection of books. Spoon gets home a little after 3:30; his wife, Betty, arrives shortly thereafter and prepares Alfred's pre-fight meal. Spoon speaks briefly of education and tells Alfred that he could finish high school at night if he wanted to.
Alfred lies down and dozes until Henry awakens him. Donatelli has come to ride with them, in Spoon's car, to the Long Island City Union Hall, a large, shabby building that hosts that night's amateur fight card.
