A MAN REFERRED TO ONLY AS MR. BLANK SITS IN A ROOM WITHOUT ANY MEMORY OF WHO HE IS OR WHY HE IS THERE. DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY HE RECEIVES SEVERAL VISITORS, INCLUDING A DOCTOR, A NURSE, AND HIS LAWYER--WHO TELLS HIM HE IS BEING CHARGED WITH HEINOUS CRIMES. FINALLY, HE DISCOVERS A STRANGE MANUSCRIPT THAT PROVIDES A CLUE TO THE NATURE OF HIS EXISTENCE. PAUL AUSTER USES THIS MINIMALIST CANVASS TO CREATE AN EXISTENTIAL ALLEGORY WITH A METAFICTIONAL TWIST.