Nettie is putting voodoo stuff away in the back of the shop. She casts a furtive look towards the front and pulls out a battered admissions guide for Tulane Medical School. Her father comes into the back, and she stashes the guide. He comments that she got in late last night. There's a back-and-forth conversation about how it's better for her to prostitute herself to the smarmy hands of Hank for the good of the clinic rather than get involved with anyone else. Suddenly there's a commotion, and the pregnant Adella and her husband come rushing in, saying they need help. Adella seems to be in labor even though she's too early.