Starters

Callie Woodland visits Prime Destinations, where she meets Mr. Tinnenbaum, who offers her a contract to rent her body out to an Ender, an elderly person with money. Mr. Tinnenbaum explains the process, which involves installing a microchip into the Starter’s, or young person’s, head, which enables Enders to remotely control their bodies the same way someone might control an artificial limb. He assures Callie it’s a safe procedure and reads her the rules, but when Callie hesitates, he offers her a special deal for a higher price if she signs the contract right in that moment for three rentals. He offers her chocolates called Supertruffles, which are packed with vitamins, and she eats some, saving a few for her younger brother, Tyler, who is seven and has a lung disease. Thinking of Tyler and her friend, Michael, Callie declines his offer and wants to sleep on it. She begins the long trek home through Los Angeles and gets attacked by renegades who try to steal from her. She narrowly escapes with a head injury.

She gives her brother the Supertruffles, and Michael shares some with her as well. While falling asleep, Tyler reviews pictures of his parents in a holo-frame.