The "showdown" occurs with Stanley.

This takes place in scene 9. Stanley's amiability begins to fade with this reference to him as swine. Blanche continues to say that Mitch returned after Stanley left, and begged for her forgiveness, but she sent him on his way. Stanley calls her on her bluff, both about Mitch and the telegram. He turns on her, shouting about her lies and tricks. His tone becomes menacing and Blanche runs to the phone to try to call Shep Huntleigh. She is terrified, by Stanley and by shadows.

Stanley comes out of the bathroom and stares at her, grinning. Blanche tries to back away from him, but that just gives him ideas. She smashes a bottle on the table and faces him. He observes that she wants some roughhouse, and he springs at her, forcing her to drop the bottle. She succumbs, and he says that they've "had this date with each other from the beginning," as he carries her to the bed.