Mumble feels obligated to accept Tails’s ride home, and Tails insistently talks the whole ride through Beartown. Although Tails is often mocked, Mumble understands his argument about ambition and respect and wonders if he can force himself to forget the past using a similar mentality. Tails talks about the merger and emphasizes how the towns may be stronger if they all play for the same team, but Mumble is disinterested in politics and just wants to play hockey. Mumble is a late bloomer and was transferred to Beartown after Vidar’s death to replace him as goalie. He and Amat were often the first people at the rink and practiced together. When Zackell offered to let Mumble play with Vidar’s old number and he refused, he gained the support and love of the Pack, cementing himself firmly in Beartown hockey.

Tails and Mumble arrive in Hed; Tails drops him off at his apartment and drives through town, stopping at various places. He meets with a businessman who owes him a favor, and the man helps him throw a rock through his own car window. Tails calls in a complaint about vandalism and is called by the press within an hour.