A plague is sweeping the world, and Joe and his boyfriend learn that their friend Paul has recently contracted it. They're speculating where Paul got it from when Paul's wife calls in a panic because as the spouse of the infected she will be shipped to the Island in order to keep the spread at bay. The CDC comes to burn Paul's house and his wife hides. She now has to run to Florida because the colonies there won't shun her. The "Touch disease" seems to be affecting African American men disproportionately. Another friend is diagnosed and soon commits suicide by overdosing on pills. Joe and his boyfriend drift apart, then one day Joe calls to reveal that he has it too. Joe's now ex boyfriend checks himself in the mirror, noticing a purple bruise under the skin- a symptom of the disease. A few weeks later, he receives a call that Joe is dead and wants him to have his ashes. He declines, looking at his deteriorating body.