Prologue Summary

The novel opens, early in the morning, in the radio management office of Steve Crow. He enjoys a jelly doughnut as he listens to the traffic report on his station, WZZZ. Steve rejoices in the crazy traffic patterns, because it drives up ratings for his station. He watches with with glee as the jelly from the doughnut drops onto his tie. Happily, he takes off the tie. When his secretary suggests that he forgo wearing the tie altogether, he says to do so would be unprofessional. Steve continues to watch the bustle of the radio newsroom through the glass walls of his office as the next traffic update comes on. Steve describes the technical nature of the traffic report, which involves several radios, CBs and other equipment. Suddenly, the reporter swears loudly, and the editor cuts the live feed. The newsroom continues to...