In heavy rain, Linus returns to the city, rides a bleak bus past propaganda, and reaches his dark, stale house. Mrs. Klapper greets him with gossip and complaints about his drowned sunflowers. Inside, music accidentally cues Bobby Darin, triggering memories of Lucy and bringing Linus to tears. He sleeps and dreams of the island.

On Sunday he scrubs the house and opens his suitcase, finding an envelope labeled “DON’T FORGET” with a photo of their first adventure at Zoe’s. The image of the children and Arthur watching Linus fills him with sharp grief that he holds close.

Monday at DICOMY, coworkers are indifferent. Linus sets the framed photo on his desk, rebuffs Mr. Tremblay, and is confronted by Ms. Jenkins, who cites regulations, assigns demerits, and orders the photo removed. She also announces a summons to Extremely Upper Management the next morning.

On Tuesday, Linus submits his final report—one sentence recommending Marsyas remain open under Arthur Parnassus—and faces the panel: the woman, Jowls, the bespectacled man, and Charles Werner. Pressed for justification, Linus rejects their labels and details each child’s character and circumstances: Talia’s fierce loyalty, Phee’s survival and protective roots, Theodore’s communicative intelligence, Chauncey’s simple dream, Sal’s trauma and poetry, and Lucy’s joyful imagination beyond inherited darkness. He declares Arthur to be Lucy’s true father, condemns DICOMY’s prejudice and euphemisms, and vows to fight for change even if fired.

Extremely Upper Management withholds judgment, promising to consider his recommendation. Ms. Bubblegum is stunned by his outspokenness. Linus returns to Row L, Desk Seven under a sea of stares, replaces the photo on his desk despite Ms. Jenkins and Gunther’s scowls, and gets back to work.