Steve, a 23-year-old from Virginia, is deeply unsettled by his experiences in California, which he perceives as a harbinger of doom. He expresses his frustration over the nihilistic views of others, feeling devoid of purpose as he contemplates his life. This sense of meaninglessness weighs heavily on him, prompting thoughts of returning to the East Coast where he felt a clearer direction and purpose.

His unease manifests physically as he lights a cigarette, with shaking hands reflecting his inner turmoil. The contrast between his past expectations in Virginia and the uncertainty of his current life in California highlights his struggle. Steve longs for the familiarity of home and a clearer path, feeling trapped in a place that offers him little faith in a future he can believe in.