Recently released from a rehab facility upstate in Millbrook, Stuart heads to his old hangout - a bar that was owned by an older man, Henry, but has since been sold to new management. Stuart is greeted by Henry's dog, but when he enters the bar, the interior has changed dramatically. There, Stuart asks the bartender if he's seen Natasha, an old friend, but the bartender doesn't know anything. An old friend, Clifton, is at the bar and buys Stuart a drink. Stuart asks Clinton the same question, but like Arthur, he doesn't know anything. And so begins Stuart's quest. As he readjusts to life in New York City, Stuart frequents parks and diners constantly keeping an eye out for Natasha. He goes to visit his friend Rita who Clifton said was dead, but is actually in treatment for Hepatitis A. Rita is emaciated in her hospital bed. Stuart asks Rita about Natasha, but again, she knows nothing. Stuart tries to go see Uncle Bill, an old friend, but he learns that Bill died from a kid on the stoop who also offers to take Stuart to buy drugs. As winter hits, Stuart goes to the movies and continues to frequent his usual diner. He buys lunch for a sex worker at the diner. One night, Stuart dreams about his friend Clifton and thinks that he's somehow connected to Natasha. Stuart goes to Clifton's house and hits him with a prepared makeshift weapon. After they argue, Stuart leaves believing that Clifton really doesn't know anything. Come spring, Stuart visits a park and runs into an old friend Tombo who asks about rehab and Natasha. Finally, a few days into spring Stuart finally spots Natasha sitting on a park bench.