On November 4 1953, Theodore F. Schism climbs into his mother's defrosting refrigerator and shuts the door. He is 9 years old. On December 1 1968, five young people sit at a table watching the very first Vietnam draft lottery. Actually there are six, counting Isabel Schism's unborn daughter Snap. Sitting next to them, Leif Lambrochet has a plan with the virtues of being simple and straight-forward. Also at the table, Leif's sister Clare is waiting with an unearned placidity to find out what she wants out of life; Roberto "Robot" Larch is waiting with a more dangerous ennui for his draft number; and next month Jay Knot-eventually to become Jay Null, yes that one, author of The Book of Data-will begin to change the world. Meanwhile, Theo Schism has a lot of time in the refrigerator, or maybe not so much. He can, for example, review his life-to-date, and a lot can happen in nine years. But about what's going on outside (good luck, Mom & Dad)? Eventually, though, comes a visitation of sorts, with a hint of avatar and a whiff of doppelganger, and after that things get crowded. On the other hand: if he got himself in here, why can't he get himself out? There's Nam. And L.A. And the transportation system of Perth, and a midnight bridge in Edmonton. As crucibles go, take your pick. In your hands you hold the first of three books in which these and other human beings live out their lives in the midst of whatever it was that happened in the U.S.A from that time to this. Their stories turn out to be very American: i.e., you wouldn't believe them if I told you. But this way, you're in at the start. You've got a fighting chance.