Robert had adventured through a dreamscape of a city for a prolonged period of time before eventually escaping back to reality, moving to a desolate area, and telling the story to Gaheris who relates it as part of Brant's narrative. The first story is told by Gaheris, and he relates a story told to him by a man named Robert. Throughout all the stories it should be recalled that Brant Tucker is the overarching narrator, relating the events in the past-tense. The bulk of the narrative is devoted to a series of stories, and stories within stories, that the various travelers at the Worlds' End Inn tell each other to pass the time. Charlene decides to remain behind and Brant exits to discover he alone retains any memory of her. Finally the storm outside breaks and the various travelers depart the inn, heading back to their own prior lives. The people at the table while away the hours swapping stories. They have all sought refuge in the inn from a violent storm raging outside. Upon awakening, Brant discovers Charlene sitting with several strange beings, including a fairy, a centaur, and some dead-looking persons. Brant carries Charlene to a distant inn-the Worlds' End-where she receives medical assistance and he drops into a deep and long sleep. In the early morning hours of June, it begins to snow and then something runs in front of the car-Brant swerves off the road and the car smashes into a tree. Brant Tucker and Charlene Mooney work together and decide to share travel expenses on a drive to Chicago.

The Sandman Vol. 8 by Neil Gaiman