In the Bonaparte house on an upper level, shutters open to reveal a string quartet playing live.  Moody finds it hard to believe that his prize boxer Caplan has been bested but his trainer Tokio (Jason Barnett) convinces him that it is 21 year old Joe Bonaparte who achieved this.

Mr Bonaparte confides in his old Italian friend that his budding violinist son could break his hand boxing, putting paid to his second string career.  Something like a killer instinct is not there in Joe’s fighting.  Is he aware that he could spoil his violin playing if he damages his hands and is that holding him back?

Another promoter Eddie Fuseli (Zubin Varla) wants to buy into Joe Bonaparte but Tom Moody refuses. We learn that Fuseli has a firearm and ways of getting what he wants.  In Act Two we understand that Monica Moody wants a divorce and Tom thinks he can marry Lorna.  Fuseli comments, “Don’t ask me which is worse.  Women or spiders?”  Lorna is conflicted about who she wants to be with, Tom Moody whom she has longed to be free or Joe.