At an officer’s tent, Mother Courage informs a clerk that the army has destroyed much of her inventory and charged her an unjust fine for trading. The clerk is unsympathetic, insisting that she is lying about not knowing Swiss Cheese. Mother Courage wants to file an official complaint with the officer; the clerk tells her to wait until he is available.

Their conversation is interrupted by a young soldier who is angrily searching for a captain. The captain had promised him reward money for the successful completion of a task, but then took the money and spent it on brandy for himself and other soldiers. Another soldier appears and tries to calm the first soldier, blaming his rage and foolishness on youth. Mother Courage, too, tries to make the soldier see that war is full of injustices. The young soldier finally sits calmly and waits for the captain to appear.

While he sits, Mother Courage sings a song about a young woman who insists she is special and vows she will never bend to follow the norm, but ultimately does so. As the song ends, the clerk informs Mother Courage that she may see the officer now to file her complaint.