A family of four gets stuck on a trafficked freeway while driving their new car. They are at an almost complete stop. Tom and Mary are the parents, and Bobby and Janey are their children. Bobby asks his parents if their new family car is better than his friend Jimmy's, and Tom says it is. The truck driver stuck beside them rolls down his window and asks if they know where the freeway leads; Tom responds that he doesn't. When the truck driver notices Mary fishing around in her purse for a cigarette lighter, he offers her his and lets her keep it. The kids complain that they are hungry. Time passes and the traffic remains unmoving. Mary asks Tom why his happiness depends on material things, like this car; Tom argues back; the kids continue to complain about hunger. The family reflects on how each member of the cars in traffic have their own respective stories. Finally, traffic begins to move, but soon they notice a wall up front, blocking the freeway exit. Mary begins to cry. They soon notice the smoky sky ahead. The city ahead is burning. Everyone stops asking questions.