Michael Smith, an apparent vagrant they came in contact with one rainy night along the Interstate, keeps showing up wherever they go, and he is not shy about intervening in their business. How he continues to appear, and why he shows up when he does, neither man has an answer to. Although Vernon is curious about the man, for some reason the otherwise unflappable Reed is quite unsettled by him. Does Reed know more about Michael Smith than he's willing to admit, or does he just suspect the purpose of Michael's persistent interference?

If Reed was truly in the dark as to Michael's identity and purpose, he'd not have long to wait before being enlightened. As for Vernon, that enlightenment lies over ten years away.