Summary

Chapter 1 opens with the protagonist, Barry Cohen, arriving at a bus terminal in New York City one morning. The year is 2016. Barry is a highly successful hedge fund manager who lives in New York City. The previous night, Barry had a fierce argument with his wife. Barry has a cut on his face from where his nanny, Novie, accidentally cut him with her fingernail. Barry has decided to leave New York City in search of a fresh start in life. The ticket counter at the bus stop is closed, so Barry calls his assistant, Sandy, on his cellphone. Sandy manages to secure a bus ticket for him to Richmond, Virginia. Barry wishes to go to Richmond, for he believes that his college girlfriend lives there. Barry then throws away his cellphone, as he wishes to stop relying on Sandy for this trip. Barry boards...