Danforth calls for Abigail and the other girls, wanting to discuss Mary Warren's charge that Abigail is lying. Abigail flatly denies this, and Danforth begins questioning Mary's ability to faint in court and asks her to demonstrate. Mary cannot faint on command in front of them and suggests that the other girls' hysteria allowed her to faint at the moment.

Danforth asks Abigail whether it's possible that she has been mistaken and only imagined the presence of spirits. Outraged and defensive, Abigail accuses Danforth of mistrusting her, and he begins to back down. Abigail then begins acting as if she is freezing and accuses Mary of sending her spirit out to hurt her. The other two girls follow Abigail's lead and do the same thing.

John Proctor interrupts their pretend fit, grabbing Abigail and accusing her of being a whore. Everyone is shocked, but John admits he has known her sexually. He explains that Elizabeth fired Abigail because she knew her for a whore. Danforth wants Elizabeth to confirm this, bringing Elizabeth into the courtroom.

Elizabeth is asked why she dismissed Abigail, and Elizabeth—unaware of what John has confessed—tries to protect his reputation by saying that she was simply unhappy with Abigail. She is then directly asked if John is a lecher, and she lies and says no. Danforth orders her removed as John yells out that he has already confessed. Hale tries to defend Elizabeth, arguing that it is a "natural lie to tell."

Like the other girls, Abigail—likely beginning to panic—starts screaming hysterically. They mimic Danforth and act like they see a bird in the building. Abigail says Mary has sent the bird to harm her. Under the weight of their accusations, Mary finally breaks down and pretends to be possessed, turning on John and accusing him of being the "Devil's man."

Danforth urges John to confess, but John states that God must be dead if such things happen. John and Giles Corey are taken to jail, and the scene closes as Hale storms out of the court, denouncing the proceedings.