8. Outskirts, Damascus, NE

Complete story — includes the ending

As Management draws his last breath, he teaches Ben the right way for the blade to enter the tree. Ben explains to Samson why he had to kill Management, that he now possesses Management's knowledge, and that he knows about Stroud's intentions and his link to the Usher. At first Samson is furious and accuses Ben of killing his friend. However, after Ruthie claims that seeing Scudder and a bald-headed man the previous night is further evidence that she sees dead people, Samson begins to understand that Ben is telling the truth. Ruthie rejects Lila's approaches about her supposed sleepwalking. The Dreifuss family faces new troubles with Libby's marriage to Jonesy, and an attempt to sort out their problems with a family dinner ends in an argument. That night, a Ferris wheel accident kills a young boy and injures his mother. When Samson sees Ben transfer the mother's life to her child, Ben gains Samson's trust and instructs the carnival to head west in search of Scudder and Stroud. At the moment of Management's death, Justin has a seizure, which Wilfred Talbot Smith explains as Justin's enemy receiving his boon. Justin approaches councilman Templeton to participate in his Sermon on the Mount for a New America. The Crowes hire a new maid – Sofie.