Tally Youngblood waits for night to fall. She removes her interface ring, which connects her to the city’s network, and then stashes a space heater in her bed before sneaking out her window. She walks to an old bridge that cannot spy on her (many city structures feature artificial intelligence and can speak). She climbs the bridge and sneaks into New Pretty Town, a city made of party spires and pleasure gardens. As she heads to Garbo Mansion, the home of her old friend Peris, she struggles with nerves about getting caught. She stands out here as an “ugly” walking among “pretties.” A large machine surrounded by partiers trundles down the street, shooting out plastic masks. Tally grabs one shaped like a pig and puts it on to hide her appearance. She continues her walk to Garbo Mansion.

As Tally walks, she sees a boy fall from a tower only to be saved by the bungee jacket he wears, which bounces him safely to the ground. She walks straight into a mansion party and searches for Peris, enduring taunts from the pretties who spot her mask. She overhears a malicious conversation of partygoers who are angry at her.