The narrative is set in 2073, sixty years after a devastating epidemic known as the Red Death has wiped out much of the world's population. James Smith, who survived the outbreak, resides in San Francisco with his grandsons Edwin, Hoo-Hoo, and Hare-Lip. These youngsters, living in a sparsely populated world, lack advanced cognitive abilities and language skills. Edwin asks his grandfather, referred to as "Granser," to recount the events of the scarlet plague.
Granser recounts his pre-plague life as an English professor. In 2013, society was dominated by wealthy elites, and a swift-spreading Scarlet Plague caused its victims' skin to turn red and limbs to go numb, leading to death within half an hour. Despite efforts, no cure was found, and even those attempting to find one fell victim. Granser's grandsons challenge his notion of "germs" causing the disease, as they're invisible.
Granser witnesses the first victim during his class, triggering panic and societal collapse. He survives for three years alone with animals, then returns to find a new society formed by survivors. However, they're divided into tribes and don't value his memories of the past. Granser strives to pass on his knowledge, but his grandsons dismiss his stories as unbelievable.
