In the present day, Dean finally snaps out of it and joins the auction. Everyone's been patiently waiting for him to wrap up his flashback before getting started. While Beau talks up the upcoming items up for bid, the Winchesters and friends pool their resources. Between the four of them, they come up with a handful of credit cards, two thou in cash and a Costco membership. Crowley, sitting behind Sam, tries to psych him out a little. "Don't know why you're so keen on that hunk of dirt," he says. "So it tells you to blast back a few demons. I'll just make more." Crowley surreptitiously consults his Moleskine: "Can't get rid of all my black-eyed boys... Samantha." Sam smirks at him. "Yeah, we'll see." This exchange makes it sound like Crowley thinks the tablet is only for killing off demons in the same manner that Kevin used when he escaped. Keep that in mind for later.

The auction gets underway. When the first item - the Amulet of Hesperus - goes for five tons of dwarven gold, the gang realizes just how hopelessly outmatched they are. "Plan C?" Sam suggests without much hope. Crowley practically wriggles with delight. Dean makes some excuse about going to the restroom, but he's really going to try to steal the tablet. He follows an auction minion to a locked room, then "accidentally" bumps into him so he can steal the keys. Of course, the room and all its treasures are being guarded by other minions, so Dean has no choice but to abandon his plan.