The newspapers widely report Charlie’s escape with Algernon, who has begun to act erratic. After his family is questioned by a reporter, Charlie learns the address of his mother and sister Norma. Charlie looks at a photo of them and recalls how his mother was affectionate with Norma while rejecting him. He also remembers his parents fighting about this. Charlie does not go home. Instead, he lays low at a hotel and rents an apartment. He meets his neighbor, Fay Lillman, a free-spirited artist who enjoys drinking and dancing. Charlie is immediately struck by how sexually attracted he is to Fay.

Charlie tracks down his father Matt, who has his own barbershop in the Bronx. He wants to introduce himself to his father, who does not recognize him. Matt shaves him and Charlie remembers the night his mother forced Matt to take Charlie out of their home to live with his Uncle Herman. Charlie nearly collapses at the memory. He leaves the barbershop without ever revealing who he is.

One night, Fay comes to Charlie’s apartment after an argument with another man. She and Charlie nearly have sex, but he stops after seeing a vision of his younger self watching.