Western District. Herc's seeking advice on his situation from his closest confidant/non-sexual (probably) life partner, Carver. As they talk in someone's office -- both constantly checking over their shoulders to make sure no one's eavesdropping -- Herc says that Carver can't tell anyone, and that Herc's "fucked in the ass with a pineapple on this." Carver, in disbelief, asks what Herc said to Royce, and Herc spits, "I said, 'Mr. Mayor, that's a good strong dick you got there, and I see you know how to use it.' I didn't say shit!" Carver cracks up, as Herc says he didn't wait for Royce to say anything, either, and whimpers that he'll never make rank now: "I'll end up riding the boat or some shit like McNulty!" Oh, Jesus -- if McNulty never learned port from starboard, Herc has no prayer at all. Carver shakes his head a little, and then can't help cracking up again. Herc patiently waits for him to get it out of his system, and Carver finally says that this conundrum is "way beyond [his] pay grade," and that they need advice from someone who's experienced in politics. Herc: "Who do we know like that?" Hint: not McNulty.

Carcetti campaign office. Norman and Terri are prepping a sulky Carcetti for his upcoming debate when his cell phone rings. Carcetti picks it up without any hesitation and tells Jen he has time to talk. Norman and Terri look at each other like, "Oh no, that's cool, we have nothing but time," but Carcetti wraps it up fairly quickly and tells his advisors that he forgot to send a cheque to the archdiocese, and that his kid's going to get kicked out of St. Alban's. Well, that would be his last chance to get a moral education, since that's not likely to be a lesson he can get from dear old dad. Norman's like, "Focus up, Pampers," and Carcetti turns it on: "[Royce] comes at me with race and some bullshit crime stats. I ignore the race thing, and counter by noting that homicides are up 15% even though other violent crime stats are down 12%. I point out this does not make sense unless Royce is cooking the crime stats, making robberies, rapes, and assaults disappear. I suggest the mayor is not telling the truth about crime in the city. I conclude by declaring that it is for all of Baltimore -- every neighbourhood -- that I'm making public safety the cornerstone of my campaign." Norman looks over at Terri, who smirks like, "The kid stays in the picture." Carcetti adds, "Tomorrow night, I will kick his ass. But the next morning, I still wake up white in a city that ain't." But Carcetti, there's still time to ditch your wife and marry Marla Daniels!