In the White House garage on July 6, 1933, Eleanor resists two young Secret Service agents who insist on escorting her. Earl, her security chief and friend, intervenes, gifts her a .22 Smith & Wesson revolver, and trains her on the spot, extracting a promise that she will carry it whenever traveling alone. Eleanor intends to preserve her accessibility on upcoming tours and protect private time with Hick.

Eleanor drives through Washington, exhilarated by the freedom, and picks up Mary at the Whitelaw Hotel. They catch up: Mary worries about her son Albert Sr., whose ventures have faltered after closing the Tea Room, while Albert Jr. is thriving and nearing his thirteenth birthday. The conversation underscores shared concerns about their children.

Prompted by Eleanor, Mary explains how she came to raise Albert Jr.: Albert Sr. left Fisk for a Miami business, had a child with a white woman, and Mary feared violent backlash in the Deep South. She persuaded them that the baby would be safer with her, and hospital care restored his health. Eleanor’s admiration grows as Mary affirms that Albert Jr. motivates her fight.

At the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, Eleanor slips the revolver into her purse. Mary initially misreads this as distrust of those inside, but Eleanor clarifies it is a security condition; Mary apologizes and they reaffirm their partnership. They proceed to their first joint meeting with the Commission on Interracial Cooperation to advance Black federal appointments. Eleanor also weighs approaching Harry Hopkins and Harold Ickes, recalling the Arthurdale project, and she guards her movements with discreet caution.