Appa decides to transfer Arjie to a new school that will toughen him up: Victoria Academy. Diggy—Arjie’s brother—tells Arjie that Appa “doesn’t want you turning out funny or anything like that” (205). Diggy warns Arjie about the principal, who is nicknamed “Black Tie.” Black Tie is a harsh instructor and doles out painful physical punishments to the students for the most minor of infractions, such as wearing long hair. Diggy advises Arjie not to complain to his parents in order to appear tough to the other students. Arjie’s brother also informs him about the dispute between Black Tie and vice-principal Mr. Lokubandara, whom Diggy describes as a “snake in the grass” (208).

At school, a Sinhalese boy named Salgado tells Arjie that he should be in the Tamil class instead of the Sinhalese class, but Arjie does not understand Tamil and says that his parents wanted him to learn Sinhalese. Another boy known as Soyza comes to Arjie’s defense. Arjie is drawn to Soyza’s inexplicable confidence. Soyza goes to use the toilet, and when he returns, Arjie notices that his neatly-ironed clothes have been rumpled.

When Arjie heads to the bathroom, he notices the bully, Salgado, attacking a boy named Cheliah.