Junior, feeling out of place, arrives at a large, crowded Catholic church for Saturday Mass. He is there primarily to conduct recon on Lauren Marchetti and her grandmother, Nonna Bianchi, knowing they attend regularly. He dresses to appear respectable, hides his tattoos, and is quickly greeted by his mother, who is surprised but pleased to see him, and by Alec, who is also unexpectedly present.

Junior sits with his mother and Alec near the front among prominent Italian families. As they trade barbed sibling banter, they endure a series of reintroductions and gentle guilt from congregants directed at their mother. Junior scans for Lauren and finally spots Lauren escorting her grandmother into the nave; he positions himself to witness Lauren’s first look at him.

When Lauren and Nonna Bianchi take their seats across the aisle, Junior studies Lauren and notes that she appears calm despite news of her father Tommy’s disappearance. He also notices parishioners whispering and casting judgmental looks at Lauren, which angers him for its hypocrisy. Alec calls out to Lauren, prompting her to look over and then notice Junior; surprise flashes across her face, and a palpable tension passes between them as they exchange brief greetings.

During Mass, Junior struggles to restrain his desire while keeping up with responses. He and Lauren exchange glances; when Junior winks, Lauren glares and looks away, signaling irritation rather than fear. Junior interprets her anger as preferable and potentially convertible to desire.

After the final blessing, Junior walks up the aisle with his family for coffee hour. Alec confronts him, asking what he is doing with Lauren and warning him not to be an idiot. Junior deflects, claiming he is only checking that Lauren is okay after everything with her father. Alec presses, saying he does not want an old friend hurt; Junior challenges Alec’s motives, implying Alec may be pursuing business with a retired don present and is trying to get Junior out quickly.

In the rear event hall, Junior spots Lauren heading toward the restrooms. He extracts a grudging truce from Alec—Junior will not interfere with Alec’s business if Alec does not get between him and Lauren. Junior then asks Alec to run interference and moves to follow Lauren, intent on speaking with her one-on-one.