[1][2] A writer called Boyd 'Bo' Aikens (Jay Mohr), recently unemployed and divorced, leaves Los Angeles hoping to find a place to start over.

He then tries to purchase a used car, but his credit cards are declined, and his cash assets have been transferred to Black River's local bank and then frozen.

Bo attempts to hitchhike out of town, but the man who offers him a ride has a mysterious electrical fire in his car.

His assigned realtor shows him a lovely house, complete with a computer for writing, and even a dog virtually identical to his recently deceased pet.

A year later, it is revealed that Bo and Laura are now citizens in good standing of Black River, and still seeing each other (it seems that Pericles's prior admonishment was reverse psychology).

Throughout the narrative, Pericles exhibits abilities that seem implausible for its nature, including the particularly striking act of levitating a garden hose, an object far removed from high technology.

Moreover, despite its vested interest in ensuring Bo remains in Black River, Pericles paradoxically engages in behavior that torments and mistreats him, actions that seem counterproductive to its goals.