We are in the year 1992, in the North American Confederation. People travel to the Moon and to the other colonies with space ships. And yet, doors ask for coins to be opened, and fridges do the same, the homeostatic mechanical slaves are here to make a penny. Joe Chip works for Glen Runciter, of Runciter Associates. He tests persons with peculiar talents, inertials as they are called. They block the psychic power of telepaths, precogs and other psis, who mostly work for Hollis, an anti-talent for each talent. As this is how the universe works, maintaining its balance in everything.
