Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of mental illness, suicidal ideation, sexual assault, addiction, graphic violence, gore, animal abuse, and dog fighting.

John Sawtelle is in northern Wisconsin, having traded one of his puppies for another pup named Gus. Suddenly, his car, a Kissel, overheats. He dozes while waiting for the car to cool down then wakes and tells Gus that they will go for water if John can walk on his hands to a rock down the road. He does, and then they go in search of water and find a farm for sale.

John works as a vehicle tester at the Kissel factory, driving car chassis to ensure they are sound. Concerned about the danger, he asks Ricardo Bruno, a leather worker, to make him a helmet. Initially, John finds the helmet ugly, but after Ricardo demonstrates its effectiveness, John appreciates it.

Despite enjoying his job, John’s attempts at innovation, like writing quirky descriptions predicting the cars’ future performance, annoy his supervisors. This behavior has led to him being transferred between departments.

Louis Kissel, the company’s founder, fires him. As John leaves the factory, he passes a strange man in the hallway.