A man wearing a fedora and a trench coat arrives after dark by airport shuttle in the small town of Colson, California. His name is John Dart, and he makes contact with a man who provides him with a car, a trunk full of weapons, and several straitjackets. Dart calls his boss, who informs him that there is a new candy shop in Colson and three rogue magicians have been spotted in town. Dart’s job is to apprehend the magicians on behalf of an organization called the Council.

Dart’s first target is a magician named Samson, who is staying in an old bus parked in a quarry outside town. He has two bodyguards, one of whom can sprout multiple arms, and the other can move so quickly that she appears as a blur. Dart overpowers both, taking care not to cause any injuries because he is the victim of a curse that causes him to feel whatever pain he inflicts on others. Dart then subdues Samson, who begs not to be taken into custody, but Dart is unmoved by his pleas: “Friend, you made your bed, I’m just tucking you in” (12).