Alfred's Aunt Pearl surprises him that night. First she finds out about the fight, then tells him she knows she cannot stop him, and finally reveals to him that she once had farfetched dreams of her own that she would have given anything to pursue. This moment between Aunt Pearl and Alfred is perhaps the first time the two have related as peers or as friends. The tone of this conversation is not one of a caretaker to a child, but rather it is of two people talking about their dreams and desires in situations that are not so dissimilar. Aunt Pearl is perceptive in predicting that Alfred did not enjoy the fight even though he won. He agrees that this is true, and perhaps this is what Mr. Donatelli meant when he said that sometimes winning is not enough. Aunt Pearl expects that now Alfred realizes that he does not enjoy fighting even in the best-case scenario that he will give it up. Alfred, determined as ever, says he is pressing on.