14-year-old Sandy has escaped home in "wherever" and come to Hollywood, not to become a star but to find a sugar daddy. Homeless, crouching under a bridge, and living off serving men, he is offered a trip to a brothel ranch to be given to a movie star as a favor exchange. It's a "why not?" proposition for him.
This serves as the introductory chapter to "Sylvia's Misfortunes in Aprico Island." The narrative unfolds the tale of a 32-year-old compassionate and stunning humanitarian aid worker facing adversities after being marooned on Aprico Island, a secluded coastal island in Africa. This prologue, while not overtly explicit, provides context for the subsequent chapters.
Tig and her sister Bethany agree to be hypnotized by their brother to get better grades in school. They dare him to implant triggers and suggestions in each other while he has them individually in trances. The lines begin to blur about whether they just wanted to be naughty girls or if they are actually under his control.