Every major city has them, often considered the scourge of society, the homeless derelict. There are many types; drug addicts, alcoholics, thieves, mentally disabled, con artist, criminals, the list is endless. The question is why do some of these individuals elect to live life in this manner? This novel is about one such person, Andrew, an alcoholic, and his attempt to become a productive member of society with the help of his former brother-in-law, Marty. As a one time noted scientist, whom was instrumental in the development of Agent Orange, and realizing the detrimental effects of this chemical if used, he drops out of society leaving behind a wife, who bore him a daughter of which he is not aware. In his journey to get out of the gutter, he is confronted with, hate, lies, deceitfulness, scheming, rejection, pressure, the very things that caused him to become a derelict in the first place. Marty, realizing Andrew does not know about his daughter Andrea, has the daunting task of arranging for the two to meet, but his attempts are thwarted by one who does not want Andrew returning into their lives, his former wife, Claire.