On the way to the Grange Hall for Founder's Day, Harp Oletsky reflects on the spiritual clarity he has gained from his nightly vigils. Comparing himself to Job, he realizes he had been viewing his suffering from the wrong vantage point; his papa's deposit and the bubble of luck have given him a purpose and a chance to atone for shameful family history. With Cleo Allfrey's developed photographs and the secrets pieced together by Dell and Antonina, Harp has written a speech meant to expose the false founding myths of Uz.

Harp recounts the history of Founder's Day pageantry and the demographic and economic decline of Uz County since 1931, suggesting the town may not survive to a thirtieth anniversary unless something changes. Cleo asks whether Sheriff Iscoe will retaliate or open fire; Harp dismisses Iscoe as a coward who cannot afford to murder his voters before an election.

Arriving at the Grange, Harp greets neighbors and seeks out Urna, apologizing for his neglect and impulsively kissing her knuckles, inviting her to his home after the speech—an audacious gesture toward a hopeful future. Dell and her teammates fuss over Harp's appearance; Harp notes Dell's bruised, scratched face from her game and wishes her well.

At the podium, light-headed and feeling exposed, Harp opens Founder's Day by introducing Cleo Allfrey, the Resettlement Administration photographer, announcing that she will share her photographs and offer Uz a new way of seeing itself and the land—setting the stage for the public revelation to come.