While Data attempts to gain access to the circuitry once more, Troi talks to the gangster, who now holds a brick he took from the dead engineer. The conductor again enters and again orders the crew off at the next stop - Keystone City. The gangster gets off the train as well, and Troi and Worf follow him while Data tries to access the circuits through a manhole in the city street, triggering a cab that tries to run him down in the process. At that moment, a power surge kicks in in a cargo bay - and when Geordi goes to investigate, he finds an object in the process of forming. Data, literally holding the cab at bay, proceeds to depolarize the circuits he has gained access to, but the ship and holodeck begin shaking, dropping bricks down on Troi in the process.
Data stops, and the situation stabilizes.
The trio then leave the holodeck to compare notes with those outside. Troi believes that the characters on the holodeck are not fully aware of what they are, and as such cannot be reasoned with. Picard suggests playing the scenario through their way, and allows Troi to go back into the holodeck. What's more, when the conductor mentions engine trouble, they volunteer to have Worf help in the engine room, which he does. Meanwhile, a passenger tells Troi that Vertiform City has a restaurant with unlimited and good food.