The Fire Ferrets are practicing early in the morning in the arena's gym when Butakha, the owner of the pro-bending league, comes to pay them their winnings from their last match. However, because of debts that Mako and Bolin owe, neither of them receive any of the money. He also tells them that they need to pay thirty thousand yuans in order to be eligible to participate in the tournament. After discovering that none of them, including Korra, have any spare cash on hand, Bolin suggests having Pabu do circus tricks on the street to raise the money. Mako dismisses his idea and says he will take care of the problem himself.