New York City, Early 1900s

New York City is where (according to Spinks' story) Spinks lives after traveling there for a Science-Fiction convention. It is a stark contrast to the isolating town of Parry Sound he came from. He finds a community of fellow young-adult science fiction fans and immediately feels an excitement being there. Later, when he returns to Parry Sound due to what was believed to be indications of a heart attack in his father, New York remains a symbol of freedom and adventure for him. When he finally does move back, though, after many years, he finds a New York City unlike the one he remembers. Most of his friends have disbanded and moved on to other things, and the sense of adventure he felt before is replaced with grim reality. In this way, the setting is mirroring the reality of the world at large, namely...