To Peachum, conscious of the hardness of the world, the loss of his daughter means utter ruin.
- Polly sings a song to tell her parents that she's married to Mac. Her parents are less than thrilled.
- A beggar comes in and Peachum fits him with a new fake stump, which makes him look as though he were an amputee.
- Mrs. Peachum tells Polly to get a divorce, but she refuses.
- The Peachum parents decide that they'll report Mac to the sheriff and have him hanged.
- Polly tells them it won't work because Mac and the sheriff are besties.
- They all three sing a song about the insecurity of the human condition.