The following version of this short story was used to create the guide: Hinshaw, Ben. "Antediluvian." The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners. Vintage Anchor Publishing, 2021.

In Ben Hinshaw's third person short story, "Antediluvian," elderly photojournalist Bill Pointer took a trip to the Tanzanian island, Unguja. When Pointer's sons, Richie and James, realized that their father had been spending all of his time alone in his Somerset cottage, they urged their father to get away.

One night while staying at Hotel Dahoma, Pointer ate dinner by himself. The waitress then asked if a young, single man named Ned could share Pointer's table. Pointer agreed, dismissing Ned's apologies. He knew that as an old man eating dinner by himself, he was the one dampening all of the other couples' vacations.

Pointer and Ned talked about their lives and their reasons for coming to Hotel Dahoma. Ned lived in Nairobi and taught English to business students. He was from England, and was living in London for several years. He told Pointer that he had made the move because of a relationship, but provided no further details. The men then talked about a recent murder that had occurred at the hotel. The event did not bother Pointer, but he believed it had had an emotional impact on Ned.

Towards the end of their meal, the men noticed a young couple come into the restaurant. The woman was beautiful. While eating his dessert, Pointer imagined himself having sex with her.

Over the course of the next few days, Pointer and Ned began spending time together. They took walks on the beach and even played ball with a group of children. One evening, while eating dinner together again, the men noticed the young beautiful woman return to the restaurant, this time alone. Pointer invited her to join them. Her name was Nicola. She was on her honeymoon with her husband, Suve. However, Suve had recently been taken ill. Then Ned and Nicola began asking Pointer about his work as a photojournalist. Pointer did not think there was much to tell. Though he had witnessed atrocities, violence, and suffering for years, he did not feel traumatized. These experiences did not affect him. He told a few stories, knowing that they probably did not satisfy his companions.

The next day, Pointer and Ned joined Nicola for scuba diving. The first half of the experience was pleasant. Then Nicola was suddenly stung in the water. On the boat, she grew weak and sick. Seeing her pain distressed Ned, and he became frantic to help. Back on shore, the companions waited for a doctor to arrive. Pointer was not bothered by Nicola's condition, but Ned's distress made him feel distressed. He realized that Ned was attaching his pain and fear from the past to Nicola.

The next day, Pointer prepared to leave. He found Ned sitting on the beach. Ned said that his response and attachment to Nicola, a married woman, had been foolish. He then told Pointer that his last girlfriend had died in a tragic bus accident. His pain and grief remained unresolved.

While Pointer packed his suitcase, Nicola stopped by to say goodbye. During their interaction, Pointer realized how disappointed he was to be leaving. He did not want to return home. He hated his lonely, inactive life. He knew it was just a preamble to his inevitable death.

Pointer's driver drove him away from the hotel. On the way, the rain started and a herd of townspeople stormed the car. They wanted a ride. Realizing the significance of the moment, Pointer asked the driver if they should let them into the car.