In this chapter, we are introduced to a young man who works as the managing director of a garbage-disposal plant. The young man, who is described as "just a kid," is shocked to learn that the plant is infested with rats. The managing director explains that rats have been living in the building for a long time, and that the rats were able to escape because the place is so hot during the winter. He tells the young man that if he had not found a job at the plant, he would have been one of the rats.