Despite his fear of rejection, Ren listens to Night Cloud's hypnotic, urgent pleas for him to take the risk of going to The Oh Aces. However, once there, he covers his face and hides in the shadow of the private club's darkest corner, hungering for the human contact he is aching for. Instead of rejection, Ren soon finds the club's members gently welcoming and unwilling to reveal any discernible reaction to his appearance. It also becomes clear that this is no mere social club, but also a place sizzling with incendiary sexual activity. Andy, a particularly aggressive man known in the club for his psychic gift, wastes no time in introducing Ren to the sexual pleasures of this strange little oasis. Still, Ren remains painfully self-conscious of his disfigurement, a struggle that Andy is soon determined to help him with. Ren's hopelessness continues in the desolate isolation of his apartment, but both Night Cloud and Ren's best friends, Audrey and Adam, are fully determined to lead him out of his wilderness of despair and help him come to terms with his appearance. Having found a sense of acceptance at The Oh Aces, Ren is drawn to the club, but soon finds that Andy insists on giving him psychic readings and seems intent on more than just being a friend. Ren is discomfited to find Andy can see not only his physical disfigurement but all the personal pain he has hidden from others throughout his life. Little does he know Andy is hoping that by helping Ren they will develop a serious romantic relationship. However, other of the Aces have also taken Ren under their wings, offering him unconditional support and reassurance that he is not the only man baring the painful effects of the HIV epidemic. In particular, a man named Gust has noticed this reticent guy still hiding beneath his over-sized black stocking-cap pulled around his face to reveal little beyond the sad, but beautiful eyes that long for a love Ren is sure is now only a shattered dream.