Chapter 1 Summary

Tom Rachman is a reporter who has worked for several international newspapers. Rachman currently lives in Rome.

Lloyd Burko lives in Paris where he once reported for several major newspapers and magazines. Now Lloyd only writes for a single paper based out of Rome. Although married, Lloyd's wife is having an open affair with a neighbor and therefore spends little time with Lloyd in their apartment. Lloyd is running out of money and knows that his wife would pay the rent if he asked, but he cannot make himself ask. Instead, Lloyd spends what little money he has to take a gift to his daughter, but she does not like her father due to his past sexual indiscretions and multiple marriages. The next day Lloyd makes a date with his son Jerome, the only one of his children who still cares enough to...