In this short scene, we are introduced to the protagonist, who is a baker's assistant named Ibrahim Coyle. Coyle tells us that he is in dire need of money, and that he has found a place where he can get it. He tells his assistant to go to the bank and withdraw the money from the register. The assistant tells Coyle that the register is empty, and Coyle should hurry up and get the money. He then tells the assistant that the madman has stolen Coyle's "lucky strke" of gums from the bank. The man has taken the gums from Coyle because they are made by a "swahili tribe." Coyle is shocked, but thanks God he is here.