Carnieland. After several shots of random rousties rousting, we cut inside to the cooch tent, where Ma is praising Sofie's dancing abilities. Libby almost immediately ascertains where this is going, and is therefore rather petulant when Ma dismisses her to go fetch another "knee-high." Except I totally thought that Ma was referring to a stocking, until I finally realized that Libby and Sofie were splitting a soda, and that's probably the kind of Nehi she was talking about. I mention that little tidbit only because I'm stupid, and not because it has any bearing on the scene. Once Ma has Sofie alone, she moves to stand right beside her, and softly thanks her for making Libby smile while they were dancing together earlier. "It's a long time since I seen my baby smiling and having all that fun up on stage," she says. "I was afraid Babylon took that away from her." Then she struggles to make a believable "hey, I just had an idea" face, and says, "Hey, I just had an idea." She suggests that Sofie start working the "bally," which, for those of you not conversant in the carnie argot, is the little stage outside the tent where Pa Pimp hooks the audience. Sofie isn't sure that's a good idea, but Ma reminds her that she wouldn't have to strip, but just stand there "looking coy" and getting the rubes all "percolated." Mmm, percolated. It's definitely coffee time. Oh, and flick…ahh. Sofie says no once again, claiming that she's already got a job, and that Mommatose would "blow a gasket" if she ever found out. Ma Cooch replies that Grandma Cooch hated the idea of stripping as well, which is precisely why Ma got into the business in the first place. Libby finally comes back at this point, and goes into full-fledged Meadow Mode as she glares at her mother. Sofie leaves, and Libby wastes no time yelling at Ma for putting "the hustle" on her friend. "She's not some dumb Nelly you can just grind into the show," snarls Libby. "She's got class." Oh, please. Why don't you watch her change a few bedpans and then bang another pompadour boy and see if you still feel that way, Libby, my dear. Ma insists that she was just trying to make her daughter happy, and she's almost sincere enough to make me believe her. Almost.