A Nation Divided

The story begins in the year 2055, after the United States has literally divided into four sections. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Orientals each occupy a fourth of what we know now as one country. The main characters in the novel are John Savage, Spencer Lewis, and Susanna Clark.

John and Spencer decide to go on a plane ride over the neutral zone when they develop engine trouble and crash land in a slightly wooded area. After leaving the woods they see a house in a clearing and walk towards it. Suddenly, a white man comes out of the house onto the porch. John and Spencer jump to the ground before the white man has a chance to see them. They eventually rush back into the woods where they remain until dark.

When dark finally arrives, several hours later, John and Spencer begin their journey home (or so they think). They find themselves in an unfamiliar neighborhood seeking food and shelter for the night. However, the next morning Susanna, a nurse who works the night shift at the local hospital, arrives home and discovers John. Susanna panics and attempts to run for help but John is able to subdue her and convinces her to help the two of them get back to their country. She agrees to help them with some conviction.

Later, they encounter a problem with a male neighbor who unfortunately ends up dead. John, Spencer and Susanna then take off towards the border that separates the two countries. On their journey (traveling in Susanna's car), they run out of gas. The police stop to offer assistance to Susanna and discover the two black men. After a struggle the trio is arrested, and taken to jail. Susanna is able to talk her way out and is released. Some time later, she returns to break John, and Spencer out successfully.

The National Guard then aggressively pursues the trio. John and Spencer are able to make their way to the border where a tearful goodbye is made to their new found friend and hero. John and Spencer then run for the bridge that stretches a mile across a wide river and divides the two countries. The two men are then shot by a border guard and fall to the pavement. Others join the border guard, entering the bridge. They stand over the men and attempt to shoot John and Spencer again. Suddenly, a large number of clicks are heard surprising the guardsmen. They look up to find a threatening line of black soldiers aiming heir weapons straight at them. The white guardsmen then pull back cautiously to their side of the border.