The story is told from a third-person limited point-of-view, in which the focal character is Neddy Merrill, a resident of suburban Westchester County, New York.
Neddy Merrill is lounging poolside at the residence of his well-to-do neighbors, the Westerhazys. He is entering middle age, and though in the twilight of his youth, appears to possess a supreme optimism. On a whim, he conceives of returning to his home, located eight miles on the other side of the county, by way of the swimming pools at the homes of fourteen suburbanite couples, all friends or acquaintances of his. Styling himself a new-age "explorer,” he dubs the series of pools the "Lucinda River" in honor of his wife.
Initially, the journey progresses splendidly. He is greeted warmly by friends and associates, male and female. He imbibes alcoholic beverages along the way. Despite the ever-present afternoon light, it becomes unclear how much time has passed; at the beginning of the story it is clearly midsummer, but eventually all natural signs point to the season being autumn. The story's tone gradually becomes sinister and surreal. Threatening storm clouds gather.
Midway through his aquatic journey, some of Neddy's friends mention his serious financial misfortunes although he seems unaware of these. He meets with undisguised hostility at the poolside party of the Biswangers, a couple whom Neddy and his wife Lucinda have persistently snubbed socially. At the home of Eric Sachs, one of Neddy's closest friends, he is informed by Sachs's wife that Eric survived a life-threatening operation three years previous: Neddy has absolutely no recollection of Eric's illness. At the pool of Neddy's discarded mistress, Shirley Adams, she informs him she won't lend him any more money or serve him a drink, and dismisses him. Neddy proceeds on his increasingly grim odyssey.
Neddy's physical strength declines precipitously, and it becomes painful for him to swim the length of each pool. Neddy is further disoriented when he feels a chill in the air, and notices, in the darkening skies, the constellations of autumn rather than summer. The normally stoic swimmer begins to weep.
Finally, Neddy staggers to his home only to discover that the doors are locked: The house is empty and long deserted.[9][10][11][12][13]
