The End of the Road

At the cusp of his 28th birthday, Jake Horner faces a profound challenge known as cosmopsis. This condition paralyzes him, making it impossible to make decisions in a world filled with endless possibilities.

In a pivotal moment, Jake encounters a mysterious African-American doctor who identifies his affliction. The doctor insists on taking him to a secluded therapy retreat named Remobilization Farm, urging him to confront his struggles.

While undergoing treatment, Jake secures a teaching position at Wicomico State Teachers College. This transition marks a new chapter as he begins to interact with students and develop intellectual relationships.

Jake forms an intense intellectual friendship with history professor Joe Morgan. They engage in deep conversations where every thought must be vocalized, which promotes a unique sense of emotional honesty.

Under the doctor's advice, Jake begins mythotherapy, a regimen involving delving into Sartre's philosophies. This process compels him to adopt symbolic roles, aiming to ignite action and change in his stagnant life.

As part of his journey, Jake seeks out Peggy Rankin, a woman from his past. However, she rebuffs his advances, leading him to act out violently, a reflection of the raw honesty he has learned from Joe.

Joe encourages his wife Rennie to take up horseback riding with Jake, which leads to meaningful discussions about relationships and authenticity. These rides deepen Rennie’s understanding of her marriage and Jake’s complexity.

After observing Joe secretly, Rennie experiences an awakening regarding her husband's character. The revelations challenge her previously held beliefs and set the stage for future emotional turmoil within their marriage.

Driven by emotional upheaval, Rennie embarks on an affair with Jake. This betrayal sends shockwaves through her marriage with Joe, igniting a complex emotional conflict among the three characters.

Rennie discovers she is pregnant but is uncertain of the father’s identity, leading to heightened tensions. This culminates in a fraught encounter between Joe and Jake that threatens to unravel their already fragile bonds.

In a desperate confrontation, Joe arrives at Jake's home with a firearm, creating an atmosphere of peril. The encounter turns into a chaotic struggle over Rennie’s fate, exposing raw emotions and unstable relationships.

In a bid to honor Rennie's wishes regarding the pregnancy, Jake adopts a new persona and frantically seeks an abortionist. Each moment is laced with fear and urgency, as he encounters various obstacles in his quest.

Jake’s search leads him to a physician, but the resulting abortion procedure is tragically botched. Rennie’s untimely death from complications devastates Jake, plunging him back into emotional paralysis.

Two years later, Jake participates in a therapeutic writing exercise at Remobilization Farm. He endeavors to process the turbulence and loss he experienced, pouring his heart into a cathartic exploration of his past.