Enrollment at Amie’s school has dropped, and recent data indicates that a significant number of Americans have quietly left the country in recent months. Amie thinks of leaving, but she still loves living in New York. Her school, meanwhile, has forbidden teachers from talking to students about the strings. The school’s position is that parents have the right to decide when their children are told about the strings. Soon after this mandate, a teacher is fired for telling her students not to fear having a short string. Although some parents protest the firing, the administration holds firm.

Maura sees a news story about a man who is forging strings and selling them to people who switch other people’s strings as a prank. At her support group, Maura gets frustrated about how short-stringers are always forced to prove themselves. When she gets home that night, Nina can tell she is upset and suggests a vacation. They decide to go to Venice, Italy, because Maura feels a connection to the residents who live, happily and knowingly, in a sinking city.

Javier watches the debate between Anthony Rollins and Wes Johnson. Johnson gives a stirring speech and the