After his wife leaves him, David has 45 days to find a partner at a hotel or become an animal; he escapes, falls for a shortsighted loner, and must decide whether to surrender his sight so they can stay together.
- Scenes 1–15
David moves from his broken home into the hotel, where couplehood is imposed as the norm.
- Scenes 16–24
He must find a partner before the 45-day limit turns him into an animal.
- Scenes 25–62
He participates in the hunt, attempts a false match, then escapes into the woods.
- Scenes 63–84
He adapts to loner customs and cautiously begins a connection with Shortsighted Woman.
- Just before
- Scene 96
The narrator explains the handstand, head turns, and gestures the lovers use to speak privately among the loners.
- Scene 97
At the Loner Leader’s parents’ home, David and Shortsighted Woman kiss; the leader interrupts and demands they respect the performance.
- Scene 98
David and Shortsighted Woman walk behind the leader, exchange small talk, and worry that their intimacy has been noticed.
- Scene 99
This scene
