The scene opens with the arrival of Madame Pernelle, who has been waiting for the singer for a long time. She tells the singer that she has heard about him and wants to know if he is one of the "celestials" . The singer says that he is, but that he doesn't think he is the right person to be a model. She invites him to her studio and tells him that she will show him her new clothes that she is going to sell at a fashion show that evening. She says that the clothes are hers, and that she wants to give them to her. She asks the singer if she is curious about the "true nature" of the other celestials, or if she just wants to be jealous of them. She then asks him if he would prefer to reveal his true nature to someone who pretends to be good to him or someone who reveals their true nature only to be followed by someone who is good to them. He replies that he would like to open his eyes and see if she wants an answer. She sighs and says that she needs more time to explain herself.