Summary

Hally gets started on his homework as Sam and Willie continue to practice dancing while doing their work around the tea room and Sam tries to convince Willie to stop beating Hilda. Hally, who is easily distracted from his school work, criticizes them for dancing rather than working. Sam tries to tell him that dancing is beautiful and makes people happy.

Sam and Willie describe the upcoming competition. Hally gradually gets interested, thinking he can use it as the topic for an essay on an event of cultural or historical significance. When Hally asks what happens if two couples collide on the dance floor, Sam explains that there are no collisions because being among the finalists is like being in a dream world in which accidents do not happen. He says that is what we want life to be like, with no one...