David, once the young master's guard, is now imprisoned by him. He is offered a month to reconsider an unspecified demand. Furious and jealous, David confronts his captor, Ethan, demanding to know why Henry Smith was chosen over him after his long service. Ethan acknowledges his inability to explain his motives yet but makes a chilling vow to his mother: he promises to make Henry Smith's life a living hell.