The book begins with an auction of Lester Ballard's land. The auctioneer, CB, details what is available on the estate. As a large crowd gathers to put in bids, Lester yells from the back of the crowd. He accuses the auctioneer of stealing his land. He wants everyone to clear out. The auctioneer threatens to have Lester arrested and Lester threatens to begin shooting people. Buster, a man attending the auction, punches Lester and sends him to the ground, bleeding. The sheriff takes Lester away in the county car and the auction continues on.
After Lester's land is auctioned off, he is left to live in a two-room shack. The house only has two windows and is infested with bugs and spiders. In the corner lay a pile of mattresses that.....
