Upon hearing the gunshot, Bill thinks, “That’s the kind of warning I don’t debate about” (132). He immediately pulls over and exits the truck. Three people emerge—two men and a woman. Coker, whom the trio have not seen yet, calls out that they are all in danger out in the open, and after weighing the situation, the three agree. 

The group thinks Bill and Coker are a part of a raiding gang from the city, though Bill and Coker inform them that there is not much left of the cities. The three relax after the men assure them there is not much left of the cities, and the whole group heads to a pub. One of the men is Stephen Brennell, a former member of the Stock Exchange. The other is a jaded young man whose plans to make lots of money from a radio store were ruined by the catastrophe. His girlfriend, the woman with them, is somewhat quiet but adamantly believes the United States will save them all. 

Bill queries the trio about Beadley’s group, but they have not heard or seen anyone aside from a small, cantankerous local group a few towns over. Coker suggests they all work together to find Beadley’s group, and everyone agrees that it is in their best interest.