Friar Laurence is greeted by Friar John (the man who was supposed to take the letter explaining the plan to Romeo). Friar Laurence asks how Romeo responded, and Friar John explains that before he left Verona, he went to see another friar who was visiting a house of the sick. The city suspected that the house might be infected with the plague and quarantined it, refusing to let any of the occupants (including Friar John) leave. Unable to deliver the letter himself, Friar John tried to give it to a messenger, but none would take it for fear that they might spread the disease. Friar John gives the letter back to Friar Laurence, who frustratedly explains that Friar John’s failure to deliver the letter may have resulted in great harm. He orders Friar John to immediately go fetch an iron crowbar. After Friar John departs, Friar Laurence says that he must now go to the tomb by himself. He suspects Juliet will be angry when she realizes that Romeo is not there, but the Friar reasons that he can send another letter to Romeo and simply hide Juliet in his cell until Romeo can come fetch her.