On November 5, 1936, Mary arrives home in Daytona after the successful reelection campaign, grateful for rest and family. Mrs. Brown welcomes her, and Mary plans college meetings amid financial strain and tracks progress on the Bethune Beach project, which has investors and awaits architects and planners.

Mary’s grandson, Albert Jr., arrives and escorts her to Hattie’s for dinner, where the short walk leaves Mary breathless. At the restaurant, Mary, Albert Jr., and her son, Albert Sr., share stories and avoid politics despite past conflict over Mary’s shift to the Democratic Party. Albert Sr.’s new funeral home is thriving, neighbors stop by, and Mary grows increasingly tired, relieved to ride home.

Back at the house, a long-distance call from Washington connects Mary with Steve Woodburn. He addresses her informally; Mary demands the proper address as Dr. Bethune and ends the call when he persists. When Woodburn calls back, he complies with her title and raises “urgent” concerns about her National Conference on the Problems of the Negro and Negro Youth, claiming he must curate the First Lady’s image.

Woodburn asserts Eleanor Roosevelt should not attend Mary’s conference, but Mary counters that Eleanor already agreed and that she will confirm with the First Lady directly. Recognizing Woodburn is acting without Eleanor’s knowledge and exploiting the vacuum left by Louis Howe’s death, Mary refuses to cede control, ends the call, and prepares to confront this growing interference.