A virulent form of the corona virus has swept through the world - killing billions of people in 2026. Basic governmental services, such as police, fire, sanitation, and mail, no longer exist, There's no electricity or telephone service, and no internet. Basically, the world had regressed to 19th century technology. To deal with the prevailing anarchy, the two protagonists, Hal and Nancy, buy a 22-caliper pistol. With practice, Nancy becomes an accurate shooter. Her skill saves their lives during a melee at a St. George market. However, Hal realizes they've made deadly enemies.
There are pleasant diversions in Elm Park. A red-haired dwarf and his dancing black bear, Bubba, entertain the folks. The old technology of the telegraph has been revived and Hal gets a job delivering telegrams by bicycle. An avid notebook keeper, Hal has recorded science, history, and philosophy in his marble note-books. Anxious to inculcate basic knowledge, and democratic values to the youngsters of the neighborhood, Hal launches his "Unstructured School." The book is filled with colorful characters - Freddy, the wide smiler, Hank, the terse talker, Billy and his invisible friend, Blanche the femme fatale, Jake, the turtle man, Thor Thorpson, the ex-boxer, and Stan Staller, the soapbox preacher.