The day after Riddley’s first connexion, he feels embarrassed that his first attempt at interpreting the Eusa play went so badly. He hears children singing songs about his failure and feels people scrutinizing him as he eats breakfast in the communal dining area. An old man named Fister Crunchman advises Riddley to move on to better things, suggesting that times have changed since Brooder became a connexion man. When Riddley’s father was first in charge of the interpretations, the community was more nomadic. Now that they have settled down, they spend more time forced to do as the local government (known as the Ram) tells them to do.

Riddley goes out to Widders Dump to work on the excavation team. He notices the Bernt Arse pack following him again. The new leader seems to pay particular attention to Riddley, adding to Riddley’s list of problems. One member of the team, a man named Durster, claims to have never noticed the new leader of the dog pack until after Brooder Walker’s death. When Durster likens the dog to Brooder, Riddley hits him in the stomach with the blunt end of his spear. Fister intervenes before a fight breaks out.