Episode 2 of Ripley kicks off with Tom making his way to Dickie's villa. As he checks in at the hotel, he discovers that the pen he's using belongs to Dickie, prompting him to return it. Tom then reveals a partial truth about his reason for being there, but Dickie isn't angry. Instead, he finds it amusing and even welcomes Tom to move in.
Tom's new room is adorned with Dickie's paintings, each one more bizarre than the last, yet somehow amusing to Tom. Dickie proudly shows him his collection, and despite their questionable quality, Tom manages to give him a boost of confidence.
Later, they visit Marge, who's busy working on her travel book about Atrani. Dickie regales her with Tom's story, but she remains skeptical. As Dickie and Tom spend more time together, Dickie becomes easily distracted, even standing up Marge.
Their adventures continue as they head to Naples to admire Caravaggio's paintings. Tom is fascinated by the painter's tale - a story of murder, flight, and ultimate revenge. Caravaggio killed a pimp, went on the run, and was eventually killed by the pimp's men.
While in Naples, they run into Freddie, a friend of Dickie's who knows Bob Delancey - the friend who recommended Tom to Herbert Greenleaf. Freddie insists that he's seen Tom at Delancey's but can't recall his name. Tom, of course, denies any connection, adding another layer of mystery to his already intricate storyline.
Once Freddie departs, the duo falls under the spell of a charming street artist who weaves magic with his performances at their cafe. However, on their way back, Dickie unwittingly falls prey to a cunning ruse, doling out cash to a seemingly hapless woman claiming to have been robbed and assaulted. Tom warns him that it's a ruse, but Dickie brushes it off with a laugh.
Later, Tom lashes out at Freddie, painting him as a fraudster who squanders his family's fortune. He persuades Dickie to decline Freddie's Christmas invitation and drafts a letter to Herbert, assuring him that Dickie will return home by Christmas. Tom also pleads for more funds, but the letter remains unanswered.
Some time later, Carlo, a shadowy figure from the Naples mafia, strikes up an unlikely friendship with Tom when he finds him alone. Carlo proposes a lucrative deal: smuggling a package to Paris. Intrigued, Tom jumps at the opportunity but quickly runs into trouble when he tries to rope in Dickie. Dickie hates the idea and questions Tom's mysterious background, forcing Tom to abandon the plan, feigning that he merely wanted to give Dickie an adventure.
The conversation then shifts to Marge, and Tom pleads with Dickie not to reveal their acquaintance to her as she holds a grudge against him. Dickie points out that Tom's overeagerness only serves to heighten her suspicions. Determined to win her favor, Tom reveals that he once worked as an editor and convinces Marge to let him read her manuscript. Dickie is touched by Tom's sincerity, but unfortunately, the manuscript turns out to be appalling, and Tom finds himself hating it. Despite his disdain, he offers genuine feedback, which Marge appreciates.
The pair decides to embark on a romantic date, leaving Tom with the opportunity to explore Dickie's vacant villa. He rummages through the mail, noting down Dickie's account number, unaware that the housekeeper, Ermelinda, has taken note of his snooping. Once she departs, Tom steals into Dickie's wardrobe, dressing up in his clothes. He assumes the role of Dickie, staging a heartbreaking breakup with Marge. In their fake conversation, Tom reveals his disdain for Marge's intrusion into their lives.
Just then, Dickie arrives on the scene and eavesdrops on the conversation. He's devastated, believing that Tom is mocking him for being gay - a label that Dickie vehemently denies. Dickie confesses that Marge has mistakenly pegged Tom as gay, and Tom seizes the opportunity to sow discord between Dickie and Marge. He spins a web of lies, accusing Marge of jealousy and suggesting that Dickie doesn't love her as deeply as he pretends. He even insinuates that Marge fears Tom will replace her in Dickie's affections.
At the climax of Ripley Episode 2, Tom emotionally manipulates Dickie into allowing him to stay, his triumphant smile betraying his Machiavellian scheming.
