A collection of intersecting short stories set in early 1980s Los Angeles, depicts a week in the lives of an assortment of socially alienated, mainly well-off characters who numb their sense of emptiness with casual sex, violence, and drugs.

A master strategist is appointed following Veerappan’s unabashed spate of crimes and murders. The official puts in place Operation Cocoon, which involves setting up a network of spies and informers.