On his way to mr Murgatroyd Bertie gets stuck in a traffic jam caused by a protest march led by someone he recognizes as Vanessa Cook, a girl he once courted without much success. Vanessa is accompanied by O. J. (Orlo) Porter, a heavy-set man he was at Oxford with, who went on to sell insurance policies. When the crowd thins out Orlo suddenly enters Bertie's car, explaining that he has just hit a policeman who has arrested Vanessa. On hearing that Orlo loves Vanessa Bertie says that he used to know Vanessa as well, sparking suspicions from Orlo which Bertie hastily tries to suppress. Orlo steps out of the car after having quickly sold Bertie an extra life insurance, and Bertie continues on his way.