Ralph is plagued by insomnia from the moment his wife dies. He looks for useless salvation from her in ordinary, elderly joys—talks with old friends, outdoor chess, slow walks.
No one knows that each night for him is an endless vigil with his eyes refusing to close, no matter what the reason. The world around him is collapsing. Abortions become legalized; the quiet neighbor turns into a psychopath; auras appear over people’s heads; bald, short-statured doctor men appear. But Ralph will endure. He thinks he can—no matter how crazy the world becomes.