A Pink named Matteo grooms Darrow’s new body and insists that he learn Gold manners and speech patterns. Matteo threatens Darrow with a razor, telling him the Golds are quick to wage violence when provoked. Dancer tells Darrow his new Gold name, but Darrow refuses to accept a first name other than Darrow. 

Matteo conducts a lesson in culinary customs with Darrow. Golds do not leave a dining table to use the restroom, use a variety of cutlery, and do not eat to excess to demonstrate self-control in front of peers. 

Dancer instructs Darrow in his Gold accent. He tells Darrow this Gold identity is a cover for his true mission. Dancer describes the customs he enjoyed as a young man in the mines, which resemble those that Darrow once knew. He charges Darrow to remember Eo’s dream as he becomes a person he hates. Dancer warns that Darrow will have to compromise his morals to succeed as a Gold. 

Matteo teaches Darrow five Gold dances. Darrow dances the fifth, the Polemides, with particular skill. Matteo is shocked and suspicious upon seeing this dance and asks Darrow if he is actually a lowRed as he claims.