In an alternate version of the present-day United States, incarcerated people with either a death sentence or a prison sentence of more than 25 years can opt to participate in the Criminal Action Penal Entertainment (CAPE) program instead. CAPE is essentially a televised gladiatorial combat, consisting of duels to the death. Participants, called Links, each join a Chain, or team, and fight individual or team battles. If someone survives three years in the program, they receive High Freedom, or release from incarceration. Winners of battles are awarded privileges and paid Blood Points—a currency they can use to purchase better weapons, armor, food, and more. The CAPE program is extremely popular with viewers and makes a huge profit.

Loretta Thurwar, who is brand new to the CAPE program, enters the arena for her first fight. Announcer Micky Wright floats around on a little platform, performatively annoyed that Thurwar declines to invent or adopt a fun code name for herself, like many other Links do. Thurwar is facing Melancholia Bishop, who is currently the most famous Link and who is greeted with huge stadium cheers. This is Melancholia’s last fight before she is eligible for High Freedom.