Coalhouse Walker and his followers had originally planned to hold Pierpont Morgan hostage in his home. This was to put pressure on New York authorities to deliver Conklin, the Fire Chief, to them. However, after some inaccurate reconnaissance, the building they occupy is only his library. Morgan himself is not even in New York at this time, as he is on his journey to Egypt. The Coalhouse movement throws a grenade in the street as a showcase of their firepower and serious intent. District Attorney Charles S. Whitman takes control of the scene. He orders floorplans of the library to be retrieved and creates a plan for a lone policeman to break in and detain Coalhouse. However, when Whitman sends the policeman in, he sees an explosion go off in the library yard and hears a scream. Whitman and his team realize that Coalhouse has laid mines all around the library.

Whitman meets with his advisors. The colonel of New York’s militia advises military action. An employee of Morgan argues that there can be no violence as it could harm Morgan’s rare artifact collection. An engineer claims they can bore through the library’s foundations and break in underground, but that it will take days to pull off. The police advise Whitman to talk to Coalhouse and negotiate. When Whitman calls, Coalhouse merely reiterates the demands articulated in his letters. He wants Conklin’s life in exchange for Sarah’s life. He gives Whitman 24 hours to fulfill his demands, or he will blow up the Morgan Library.

Whitman orders the arrest of Emma Goldman, as he believes that she is involved in Coalhouse’s plans. The police arrive at Emma’s residence and take her into custody. She denies involvement in Coalhouse’s actions but does not fight the police. Meanwhile, Whitman hears that prominent Black intellectual Booker T. Washington is in New York. He calls on Washington and asks if “he would come to the scene and use his moral authority to resolve the crisis” (278). Washington agrees.

At this time, Booker T. Washington is the most famous Black intellectual in the United States. When he arrives on the scene outside of Morgan’s library, Coalhouse invites him in. Washington is struck to find the small band of Black men and Mother’s Younger Brother, having expected a much larger party of occupiers. Washington lambasts Coalhouse for having ruined his life’s work, which was to prove to white people that Black Americans are not to be feared and are equal countrymen: “What will your misguided criminal recklessness cost me!” (281). Coalhouse says that he and Washington are equal advocates for Black Americans; they simply have different approaches. Coalhouse encourages Washington to have Conklin return the Model T in its original condition outside the library. He says he will surrender if this happens. Washington leaves to pass the message on to Whitman.

Father arrives at the Morgan Library and meets with Whitman. The DA has telegraphed Pierpont Morgan about Coalhouse’s latest offer to surrender once the Model T is in front of the library. Morgan messages back: “Give him the automobile and hang him" (287). Whitman panics, as he believes his career will be finished if he gives in to Coalhouse—even if Coalhouse will be executed after. Father advises giving in to Coalhouse, and if it goes poorly, to blame Morgan. Whitman agrees. As the Model T is being transported to the library, Whitman sends Father into the building to negotiate with Coalhouse.

Meanwhile, Whitman hunts down Conklin and delivers the Fire Chief along with the Model T to the library. Whitman urges Father to renegotiate Conklin’s fate. Instead of Coalhouse murdering the Chief, Whitman says he will agree to bring severe charges against Conklin and order him to restore the Model T right then in front of the public. Whitman argues that this humiliation should be sufficient punishment. In exchange, Whitman expects Coalhouse’s surrender and that of his followers. To his followers’ dismay, Coalhouse agrees to surrender alone; he wants his men to escape and not suffer punishment. His followers—including Mother’s Younger Brother—beg him not to give in, but Coalhouse stands firm. He will hold Father hostage while his followers escape. Then, he will surrender. Whitman agrees to this plan.

Fire Chief Conklin repairs Coalhouse’s Model T in the street. Coalhouse’s followers try one last time to persuade him to carry on the movement, but he patiently explains his position. Coalhouse writes his will in Morgan’s office. Father scolds Mother’s Younger Brother for abandoning Mother, who is sick with worry over him. Mother’s Younger Brother scoffs at Father’s haughtiness and criticizes Father’s empty priorities and beliefs. Before he escapes the library, Mother’s Younger Brother tells Father: “You may tell my sister that she will always be in my thoughts. […] You may tell her I have always loved her and admired her” (297). Coalhouse tells his followers to escape in the repaired Model T. Father listens from the library as he hears the roar of the Ford’s engine, indicating their escape. He tells Coalhouse that his followers have successfully fled. Coalhouse and Father sit together. Coalhouse asks Father to tell him about his child and if he is talking yet.

Fire Chief Conklin repairs Coalhouse’s Model T in the street. Coalhouse’s followers try one last time to persuade him to carry on the movement, but he patiently explains his position. Coalhouse writes his will in Morgan’s office. Father scolds Mother’s Younger Brother for abandoning Mother, who is sick with worry over him. Mother’s Younger Brother scoffs at Father’s haughtiness and criticizes Father’s empty priorities and beliefs. Before he escapes the library, Mother’s Younger Brother tells Father: “You may tell my sister that she will always be in my thoughts. […] You may tell her I have always loved her and admired her” (297). Coalhouse tells his followers to escape in the repaired Model T. Father listens from the library as he hears the roar of the Ford’s engine, indicating their escape. He tells Coalhouse that his followers have successfully fled. Coalhouse and Father sit together. Coalhouse asks Father to tell him about his child and if he is talking yet.