Mars is a desolate world. Largely forgotten by Earth, the planet remains
helpless in the stranglehold of Arnie Kott, who as boss of the plumber's
union has a monopoly over the vital water supply.

Arnie Kott is obsessed by the past; the native Bleekmen, poverty-stricken
wanderers, can see into the future; while to Manfred, an autistic boy, time
apparently stops. When one of the colonists, Norbert Steiner, commits
suicide, the repercussions are startling and bizarre.