The Stoker begins describing the details of his case, but in a random and disorganized way. The Captain steps forward and asks the Stoker to speak. He explains that he believes the Stoker has been done an injustice and should be given an opportunity to air his grievances. At this, Karl goes over to the Purser's desk, grabbing the attention of everyone present, including the Captain of the ship, who has been talking with a civilian. They are admitted to the Purser's office, but are quickly told to leave when the Purser indicates he is too busy to listen to the Stoker. Karl sympathizes with the Stoker's story and accompanies him when he goes to collect his money and complain one more time about Schubal to the Chief Purser. He says this must be the reason he is being let go because he has worked on many ships and, until now, has always been praised for his hard work. The man explains he is a stoker on the ship, but he is about to be fired because the chief engineer, a Romanian named Schubal, has a preference for Romanians, even though the ship, like the Stoker, is German. A man lets him in and, since the man convinces Karl that it will be easier to find his umbrella and trunk (if they have not been stolen, that is) after all of the passengers have disembarked, the two start to talk. Karl gets lost in the corridors and begins pounding on a door. He has been sent to America by his parents 'because a maid had seduced him and then had his child.' As he is about to go ashore, he remembers that he has left his umbrella below deck, so he asks a young man with whom he had been briefly acquainted during the voyage to watch his trunk while he runs to get it. Sixteen-year-old Karl Rossmann arrives in New York Harbor on a slow-moving ship.

Franc kafka amerika