Paper people have lived for centuries in the library, maintaining and surveying it. Mulch, a book keeper, has his own doubts and suspicions about the library but was always too afraid to speak up about them until Vredrick, a radical paper person, breaks into his house at night. Vredrick eggs on Mulch's suspicions until the protectors of the people arrest Vredrick. He is sentenced to death by fire. How will Mulch react to Vredrick's execution and is the library what everyone thinks it is?