When an individual or a whole race becomes aware of its impending doom, atavistic things happen. This is the story of a cartel of some two score of resolute but highly idiosyncratic men resolved to reset post-modern American society. Septuagenarians and older, unafraid of death and even hungering for it, they have pooled their talents and funds to change the course of history. Then they squander it all in a single act of suicidal violence. It seemed like a good idea at the time.