"Leo Didas" is waiting at a spaceport for transportation to the Braxiatel Collection. He is approached by a humanoid with a blank face, who proceeds to kill him and assume his appearance. Bernice wakes after a night of drinking and dining with Mushtaq Anson. She tries to ignore Joseph, but when he starts speaking with Braxiatel's voice, she listens. Brax tells her of his agent, Kellarn, who is to arrive at the Collection, posing as Leo Didas, a guest of Anson's.