Maria and Leonard restart their relationship on new terms, trying to do everything to erase the shadow of Leonard’s violence. The often go out to clubs, and have taken to listening to American rock and roll as well as rhythm and blues; they are particularly fond of Fats Domino. They split their time between Leonard’s apartment and Maria’s. Sometimes, they go out of town for the weekends; other times, they stay in and read. Although they do not discuss the idea out loud, marriage is clearly on both of their minds. Leonard occasionally catches Maria slowing down as they pass a jewelry shop window. Their renewed dating is blissful, and Leonard marvels at his good fortune. He also notes that it is different from their first courtship, which was marked by intense passion. Leonard believes it was that passion that led to his disturbed fantasies and attack on Maria. Their second courtship is more mundane, but the normalcy of it seems to comfort them both and allows them to feel like they have started over.

At work, Glass takes him aside and admonishes him for his close association with MacNamee. Glass informs Leonard that MacNamee nearly compromised the operation by his lack of attention to detail. The tapping equipment is putting out more heat than expected, in part due to MacNamee’s shoddy calculations. The threat is that if the heat rises to the street and melts the ice, it will draw the attention of the police. Glass extrapolates his anger to the British in general, noting that Americans are much more thorough in their planning and calculations. Leonard takes offense to this and reminds Glass that the British were indispensable during World War II. Glass seems surprised that Leonard is taking his comments so personally. Glass insists that the war was England’s time, and this period is now the Americans’ time. A miffed Leonard returns to work, and his duties keep him at the warehouse later than usual.

When Leonard arrives at Maria’s flat later that evening, he senses something is amiss and runs upstairs to find her. She is sitting alone on the bed turned away from him; her face is badly bruised, cut, and swollen. Otto had come to visit today and beat her savagely. She begs Leonard not to look at her, but he holds her and attempts to comfort her. He is horrified to think of his own violence against Maria.