Mr. Mead is arrested and will be taken to the Psychiatric Center for Research on Regressive Tendencies. 

In the year 2053, Mr. Mead is an odd man. He lives alone, and he likes to take walks at night. Oddest of all, Mr. Mead does not have a "viewing screen" in his house.

The story begins with Mr. Mead exiting his house at eight o'clock at night. His plan is to go on a walk around the neighborhood. His walks are long, too.  

Sometimes he would walk for hours and miles and return only at midnight to his house.

On this particular night, a police car pulls up alongside Mr. Mead. The car begins questioning him about why he is out of his house. The car seems shocked and suspicious of Mr. Mead because Mr. Mead does not have a wife or viewing screen.  

"And you have a viewing screen in your house to see with?"
"No."
"No?" There was a crackling quiet that in itself was an accusation.

To the police and the world of 2053, Mr. Mead's activity is so odd that he must be certifiably insane. The police car assumes he is a danger to himself and the general public; therefore, the police car arrests Mr. Mead and plans to take him to a psychiatric facility.