Ms. Young, the woman who raised Mr. Young from childhood, is publicly whipped by Cecil and his supporters for allegedly humiliating Trista and defying the new head. Announcers count the first, second and third lashes while accusers declare the blows have shattered twenty-three years of family bonds. Ms. Young refuses to kneel and is accused of raising a thankless child; bystanders taunt Cecil about his son. Ms. Young pleads she has evidence, then someone cries, "Stop! I've got the evidence of Trista's infidelity!" The claim halts the punishment and forces Cecil into an immediate, fateful decision.