Later that night, Said leaves Nur's apartment in his homemade military uniform. He rents a boat and rows along the river toward Ilwan's house. As he rows, he convinces himself that the people of Cairo are on his side in his quest to get revenge. He reaches the riverbank near Ilwan's house and enters the property from the rear. The house seems empty so Said walks around the property to get his bearings. He waits in the dark, thinking about Ilwan's treachery, until a car pulls up to the house. Said aims his revolver at the car door, watching as Ilwan steps out of the vehicle. He shouts out to Ilwan and, before he can fire his shot, someone shoots at him from the darkness. Said fires his gun in Ilwan's direction and then runs back to his boat and rows away.

Said experiences complicated emotions and parts of his body feel strange and powerless. Said scrambles ashore on the distant riverbank and tries to walk calmly along the streets. He hears shouts in the distance so he hails a passing taxi and feels a sharp stab of pain as he gets inside. Said returns to Nur's apartment and realizes that he has been shot in the leg.