

Things seem normal at first, and Ruth leaves, but he soon realizes people and objects have subtly changed. With Ruth accompanying him for moral support, Fletcher returns to his workplace to prove he has not experienced a full psychotic breakdown or seen behind the fabric of reality as he still fears. Complicating matters further, Fletcher has told his wife Ruth about the experience. The Clerk is brought to the top-level Administrative Chambers to explain what went wrong to the Old Man, who decides to personally deal with this unusual situation and orders Fletcher "brought up here". Escaping white-robed men, he flees across the street back to the everyday energized world outside Sector T137, fearing he's had a psychotic episode.

Arriving at Sector T137 after it's been de-energized, Fletcher enters a terrifying gray ash world. Unfortunately, the bark is a minute late, bringing an Insurance Salesman, causing Fletcher to leave for work late. An 8:15 bark to summon a Friend With A Car is needed. Sector T137 is scheduled for adjustment, and a Clerk is supervising a canine Summoner to ensure real estate salesman Ed Fletcher is inside Sector T137 during the process.
