Ten-year-old Harvey Swick becomes intensely bored during the cold, dreary month of February. Despondent, he stares into the mirror, wondering what he wants. He decides, “I just know I’ll die if I don’t have some fun. I will! I’ll die!” (4). At that moment, three bursts of wind push open the window, and a well-dressed, tall, yellowish man named Rictus flies into the room and invites Harvey to join a vacation to “[s]omewhere…out of this world” (6-7): a place always sunny by day and wondrous at night. Harvey peppers the man with questions and asks to visit Rictus’s magical place. Rictus makes no promises, but says he’ll see if it’s possible. The window blows open and Rictus flies out. As he leaves, Rictus shouts, “Questions rot the mind! […] Keep your mouth shut and we’ll see what comes your way!” (8).

About a week later, when Harvey has nearly given up on Rictus, the strange man floats down toward him on the street near school. He invites Harvey to come with him to the place he calls “Holiday House.” Harvey asks how long he’ll be there, and Rictus reminds him not to ask so many questions.