Minulý školský rok prežil Rafo Chačadorjan len tak-tak s odretými ušami. Tento rok sa začína sľubne. Vďaka pani učiteľka Donatellovej ho prijmú na umeleckú školu. Jeho talent a živá predstavivosť sa môžu konečne naplno prejaviť. Dostáva sa medzi nabifľovaných horenosov. Podarí sa mu presvedčiť ich, že nie je žiadny outsider? Operácia Začni žiť sa môže začať!
In this dystopian world, books are replaced by mind-probes, unusable by narrator Spaz 15ish, because of the epilepsy he is named for. After the "Big Shake" apocalyptic earthquake fells "backtime" skyscrapers and civilization, Normals survive in the concrete-smog grey Urb by working for "cut your red" killer gang bosses. Sent to rob Ryter, the boy instead gains a mentor, "gummy" old mostly toothless writer, who guides their quest by the sun. Far away, where Spaz was banished for his illness, beloved unrelated younger sister Bean is dying.