For two weeks, Rubiaux has been locked in his Aunt Cleoma’s attic in her attempts to isolate him from his addictions. Over the past two years, Rubiaux has suffered plentifully: after his cousin Remi was scammed by a Marine recruiter, Rubiaux took his place and name, which led to a double amputation and severe brain impairment from his injuries on the battlefield. In the present day, a shock wave shakes Aunt Cleoma’s home, and water begins to flood the house. Delirious with hunger, Rubiaux thinks back to his war experiences, a day when his roof caught fire, and his many surgeries. By a stroke of luck, Rubiaux notices an heirloom tomato growing outside one of the attic’s windows and eats it. The water rises. After a nap, Rubiaux sees he is joined by a group of various animals also displaced by the harsh storm, including snakes, cats, rabbits, a raccoon, rats, mice, and more. He retrieves more tomatoes to share with the animals, but water continues to rise. Rubiaux decides to hang himself so he won’t be killed in the flood but then notices a helicopter through the window. A member of the Coast Guard rescues Rubiaux, and as he is pulled out of the house, Rubiaux sees more fire and other people and animals suffering. He thinks to himself that life is sure to get better from here.