In Penang, Willie receives a cable from his lawyers in London confirming that his stockbroker has lost his money, with no legal recourse. He must return to London immediately, mortgage or sell his Wyndham Place house, and auction his art collection. Reeling, he contemplates the ruin of his plans, including a private decision to leave Syrie (without divorce) and live with Gerald in a villa in southern Europe. He fears most of all losing Gerald, who is accustomed to luxury.

Gerald arrives dressed for the beach, sporting bruises from the previous night's fight. He casually demands more money, claiming the Chinese stole his winnings, and Willie reluctantly hands over more notes, unable to bring himself to disclose his financial collapse. Gerald kisses him and initiates intimacy, but Willie, distracted by his money worries, fails to perform. Gerald reassures him lightly and leaves for the beach.

Willie tries to write but finds his creative well brackish; for the first time, the urge to write has deserted him. He drifts downstairs, mentally appraising his paintings for resale value, and fixes a martini on the verandah.

Lesley joins him and asks if he would grant her brother Geoff an interview for the struggling Penang Post. Realizing it could help book sales, Willie agrees and offers an exclusive. Their conversation turns personal: Lesley remarks on how Robert has changed, and Willie shares that his mother died of tuberculosis when he was eight and his father two years later, after which he was raised by an uncaring uncle and aunt in Whitstable. He recounts his mother's photograph, taken so he would remember her face.

Lesley laments that ordinary women are forgotten, envying even the fictional Sadie Thompson her immortality. Willie counters that stories carry names beyond time. They discuss the casuarina, the "whispering tree" said to reveal one's future under a full moon, though Lesley admits it has never spoken to her.