By Ben Bova
First Published: 1976
The huge Manhattan Dome hovers high in the smog. Beneath it, the city lies deserted, its buildings haunted, hollow shells. Years ago it was closed by the government in response to insidious crime and pollution. Now it is open only 2 months out of the year as a sort of morbid recreational park, and its only residents are the poor and downtrodden. Many of those left behind have formed gangs who fight over turf and food and prey on those who venture the darkest streets.

Ron Morgan passed his college entrance exams with flying colors. He can do pretty much whatever he wants. But what he wants most is for his father to quit telling him what to do. Quit running his life. What better way to unwind than having a last blowout on Labor Day in the domed playground of Fun City: Manhattan.

Inside the dome, however, Ron loses his wallet and identity card. Worse, he’s trapped when the dome closes for the season. There’s no way out. Gangs roam the street. Food is scarce. Ron is on his own in a nightmarish struggle for survival.