In this first book of the Alice in Fred's Place trilogy, Rondy Suristein learns that her safe, secure life is anything but. It begins when she is arrested for the crime of missing a Dentist appointment. This glitch in Main's instructions is quickly remedied, but these glitches have been increasing in frequency as Main begins to break down. Fifty years earlier the world's population traded their frightening and unpredictable lives for the safety, security, and peaceful busyness of the world that Main created. Every trace of the past has been deleted; all information is filtered through Main. Rondy's octogenarian grandparents are among the last people left who remember the world before Main. They realize now is the time to pass their knowledge along, but Main's ability to track every movement and every conversation of every citizen makes this an almost impossible task. As Rondy tries to assimilate information that shakes her world, her younger brother, Garn, is discovered to be one of the few people left who understands the forbidden art of computer programming. When Garn is kidnapped to join a select group of children who can fix Main, Rondy realizes that everyone in her family is in danger. Just when she has finally connected with someone she cares about, she may have to leave him behind. The time has come for Rondy to make some hard decisions and take action. Escape is possible but the cost is high.