Woland discusses the existence of Jesus with Berlioz and Ivan Bezdomny. When Ivan realizes the truth about Woland, he tries to have Woland apprehended, but his story is incoherent. Pontius Pilate passes judgment on Yeshua Ha-Nostri.
Ivan Bezdomny cannot say why he should be released. Woland settles in to Berlioz's apartment after Koroviev settles with the building committee chairman. The séance at the Variety begins.
The séance at the Variety ends, with many arrests. Ivan Bezdomny meets the Master, and they discover a common interest in Pontius Pilate. Rimsky, theater director at the Variety, narrowly avoids a fatal encounter.