Sales are falling, the older man's misconduct has become less frequent, and even his messages to the narrator are drying up. The narrator wanders through memories of entering this filthy world, reflects on scandal, fallen public figures, dark heroes, and society's fascination with villains, then reluctantly wonders whether this notorious erotic streamer might ever gain recognition. The rambling introduction finally turns to four very different women, beginning with a red-haired gal skater whose perfect body looks familiar—could she be the same quiet woman once seen reading in a library?