In a dilapidated zoological society Martha Washington, the last passenger pigeon, is building an outopia (Foucault's "no-place") for her species, refusing to believe that she is the only one of her kind. A sensuous and hungry Gourmand teases and attempts to thwart Martha using her love of food (passenger pigeons were delicious) and her irritating knack at asking the questions no one wants to answer. Charles-Bronson-the-sperm-whale (and possible con-artist) swims in looking for some cash to help him get to Nantucket - where he will take his revenge on whalers. Cotton Mather appears on the scene. Love stories between man and whale, Gourmand and appetite play out as Martha deconstructs the surrounding society to build her impossible sanctuary.