Summary

In Part 3, “Winter 2094,” like all of the survivors of the ‘70 virus, Charlie had lost her hair. Though scientists had since amended the offending drug, most people wore their hair short. When Charlie saw a man at the bus stop tuck a long lock of hair into his hat, she was surprised (432). This long-haired man and the messages she had found worried Charlie.

Before Charlie was married, Grandfather gave her lessons about marriage. He explained that she and her husband would have a free night each week, during which they could do as they pleased. Grandfather suggested Charlie spend hers at “the Recreation Center” (435). Because Charlie did not like interacting with people, she watched them from outside the building. Soon, she stopped going out altogether. Her husband, however, spent his free nights out. After finding the messages, Charlie decided to follow him on...