Carnieland. Everyone is open for business, with crowds packing the midway. In her trailer, Sofie is delivering on her promise to read Libby's cards. The first one she turns is "The Fool," which means that Libby is "carefree" and "light-hearted." The second is "The Chariot," only it's upside-down, which probably doesn't bode well. After a quick cutaway to Mommatose looking as disapproving as it's possible for someone who never moves her facial muscles to look, Sofie lies and claims that she dealt the card incorrectly. She also tells Libby exactly what she wants to hear, which is that our fair-haired heroine is destined for fame and fortune. Libby is ecstatic and all giggling, and hugging ensues before she leaves to go start packing. Never one to let a good (or bad) deed go unpunished, Mommatose feels the need to speak up at this point.

Mommatose: Now why would you go and lie like that? You're only encouraging her.
Sofie: Because you're wrong.
Mommatose: Oh, please. I'm never wrong. Remember the guy who knew Scudder? Remember the time I told you to use the extra-large bedpan? You thought I was wrong then, and what happened? Huh? I'm telling you right now, that girl will still be dancing with a pole when she's sixty-five.
Sofie: She's not gonna dance the cooch the rest of her life.
Mommatose: Why not? Guys will pay to see anything, you know. Hell, I even heard there're people who like to dress up as stuffed animals and "fur-pile." Heh. I bet Libby would just loooove to try "yiffing."
Sofie: You don't know anything about her. You know, she's the only one in this whole place who actually thinks about what life is like on the outside. Who has dreams.
Mommatose: You have dreams. Although I definitely could have lived without seeing the one where you yiffed Libby.
Sofie: My dreams are none of your business.
Mommatose: From your mouth to Management's ears. If he has ears, that is.

How come everyone else lives in trucks and trailers, but the Cooch family gets a palatial four bedroom town-tent all to themselves? I mean, I know there were four of them and all, but that thing has to be a bitch to set up and take down every time they travel. This also seems like a good time to mention that Carnivàle and CSI are filmed on the same soundstage. That's not really relevant, but I'm also recapping CSI this week, and I've never been one to let a bizarre coincidence go unmentioned. Anyway, Samson and Ma Cooch are in her tent, and he's congratulating her on earning back the carnival's overhead for the night all by her self. Given the context, I probably should have referred to the overhead as "the nut," but whatever. Samson inquires as to whether or not Pa Pimp has pimped out his wife for the evening, but Ma responds that her and Stumpy need some alone time. Samson leaves, and Ma proceeds to apply some make-up and change into some slinky lingerie, all while a highly suggestive song plays on the soundtrack. Check out these lyrics: "I need a little sugar in my bowl / I need a little hot dog between my rolls / You been getting different, I been told / So move your finger and drop something in my bowl." Damn. Where's Tipper Gore when you really need her? Ma reaches under the bed and pulls out a small, red porcelain pig, which she then leaves on the ground just outside the tent door.