At the opening of the scene we hear outside via the open window onto the street the sound of a horse pulling up and being tethered, suggesting the arrival of a visitor.

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While making himself presentable Frederick relates the exception of one ghastly owner of two enslaved young girls and her despicable treatment of them.

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Frederick also mentions helping two Irishmen on the wharf who make the suggestion of escape once they learn of his predicament and take sympathy.

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His train of thought is disturbed by a loud knocking at the door, which Anna attends to, and then calls out to Frederick announcing the expected arrival William Garrison of the Anti-Slavery Movement.

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Frederick and William would ultimately fall out later in life, William was not keen on the idea of Frederick writing his narrative knowing it might attract the wrong kind of attention.