- Ruth and Beneatha are preparing to go out to dinner. Ruth is excited about the possibility of meeting a new man, while Beneatha is worried about the state of the world.
- Walter enters and tells them that he has been fired from his job. He is angry and bitter and blames Lena and Walter Lee Younger Sr. for his failure.
- Lena comforts Walter and tells him that he is not a failure. She tells him that he is a good man who deserves to be happy.
- Walter asks Lena for money to start his own business. Lena refuses, telling him that she does not have the money and that he needs to find a way to make it on his own.
Scene 2:
- Walter goes to the liquor store and buys a bottle of whiskey. He comes home and drinks it.
- Ruth and Beneatha come home and find Walter drunk. They are upset and disappointed.
- Walter begins to ramble on about how he has been wronged and how he deserves better. He tells Ruth and Beneatha that they don't understand him and that they will never understand him.
- Walter leaves the room, and Ruth and Beneatha are left to pick up the pieces.
Scene 3:
- The next morning, Walter wakes up and apologizes to Ruth and Beneatha. He tells them that he is not a bad person and that he just made a mistake.
- Ruth and Beneatha forgive Walter and tell him that they love him.
- Walter tells them that he is going to go out and find a new job and that he is going to make things right.
- He gives Lena back her money and gives Beneatha the money she needs for medical school.
- The play ends with Walter leaving the house and Ruth and Beneatha looking after him.