Grigori doubts they will ever hear from Lev again. He waits worriedly for the inevitable time when he is called up to fight in the escalating war, and his fear is confirmed when he arrives at work to see his unit has been called up and must report to barracks. His supervisor suggests he can intervene on his behalf and allow him to continue working at the factory. Police arrive at the factory, and Grigori is beaten violently by the policemen led by Mikhail Pinsky (who Grigori previously embarrassed). Pinsky suggests that Grigori is Lev and is therefore wanted for murder. Grigori’s colleagues convince the police he is Grigori not Lev. Pinsky insists Grigori report to his barracks at the army depot, meaning Grigori’s supervisor can no longer help him to avoid the draft.

Grigori cares for Katerina, lovingly cooking for her every morning. Katerina suggests they get married so she can receive a soldier’s wife’s allowance. They get married, and Katerina offers to have sex with Grigori. Although Grigori loves Katerina, he is insulted that the sex is merely transactional for her, and he angrily pushes her away.

Grigori and the other men at the barracks are given uniforms and a rifle, and they board cattle cars that take them to the border of Russia and Germany.