In the aftermath of Rory Dinsmore’s accident, Big Jim Rennie vows to make any gatherings “by permit only in the future” (218). Barbie almost gets arrested—he has stepped forward to help the child, but the new officers interpret this as interfering—before Julia holds up her camera, threatening to expose their actions. Joe McClatchey and his friends ponder the possibilities of what happens to order and democracy if the Dome stays up for much longer. Once Colonel Cox gets wind of what has happened at the Dome, he calls and instructs Barbie to declare martial law in the town, noting that Barbie has been chosen, by none other than the president, to lead during this crisis. Barbie knows that Big Jim Rennie will not go along with this plan. Cox also reveals that the military plans to fire a cruise missile at the Dome, and so certain areas of town must be evacuated in case the missile breaks through.

Andy Sanders finally remembers his daughter, Dodee, and questions Samantha “Sammy” Bushey, one of her friends, about her whereabouts. Sammy tells him she has not seen her. Later, Frank DeLesseps also stops Sammy to ask her about Angie McCain’s whereabouts.