In March 1977, Red is paroled. As he predicted, after 38 years in prison he finds the transition to life "outside" a difficult process. On his time off from his bagger job, he hitchhikes to Buxton, searching for suitable hay fields from Andy's "directions". After a few weeks of searching the area, he finds a field fitting Andy’s description. Under the black, volcanic rock, he finds a letter wrapped in plastic addressed to him from "Peter Stevens" inviting him to join Andy in Mexico. With the letter is $1,000 in cash. The story ends with Red preparing to break his parole and follow Andy to Mexico.