By Thursday evening, Derrick and Minnette feel more excited than afraid about the anonymous letter. Their worries about foul play have mostly faded, leaving Derrick mainly concerned about embarrassment if the rendezvous turns out to be a scam. After briefly reconsidering whether to skip the fountain and go straight to the restaurant, they decide to follow the original plan.

Thirty minutes before the appointed time, Derrick and Minnette park a couple of blocks away and walk hand in hand toward the downtown Golden fountain. Broadway is busy with diners and students, and the early evening atmosphere feels light and festive, heightening the sense that they are stepping into an adventure.

As the fountain comes into view, Derrick and Minnette strain to identify who is waiting among the benches. When they finally spot a heather-green flat cap, Minnette quietly points it out, and both react with nervous excitement as they realize the “old man” from the letter appears to be there.

Before they can approach the fountain, Tony the bookseller from the Verbivore intercepts them loudly and familiarly, pressing Derrick to buy a book. Tony greets them with hugs and a kiss to Minnette’s cheek and keeps Derrick’s attention with a hand on his shoulder, while Derrick and Minnette keep glancing toward the fountain, their long-anticipated meeting momentarily stalled.