United States

EVEN IN THE YEAR 2012 IT'S NOT SAFE ON THE STREETS. In a world devastated by plague and ecological folly, New York in the Year 2012 is a bleak and dangerous landscape. Its vastly reduced population is divided into communes, breaking their beleagured [sic] status only to battle over the scarcity of food. Barricaded for protection against the marauding 'street people' led by the dreaded Carrot, one of these communes is headed by 'the Baron'. It includes his daughter Melinda and her horticulturalist husband Cal who is trying to bring hope for the future by creating a genus of plant that will be immune to the poisonous atmosphere. When the Baron notices an impressive newcomer in the neighbourhood, Carson, he risks assault by the street people in order to enlist his services as a fighter. Eventually Carson accepts, and tells the Baron of an island off the North Carolina coast where a new community has started. The Baron is anxious that Melinda and Cal be taken there. Danger is heightened for anyone leaving the compound, whilst arguments within the group are exacerbated by increasing problems of food shortage. Carrot's men subsequently attack the Baron's commune. The only chance of escape lies in a tortuous route along a disused subway tunnel...