The narrator keeps going in a state of dissociation from reality. He describes it as "life without music." He suddenly remembers a goal he's been trying to achieve for a long time: to kill a woman named Netta Longdon and to move to Maidenhead.
It turns out that the narrator is named George, and that he is crazy in love with Netta. This extreme love for her, and her not giving him any attention, made him hate her because he loved her so much that he always thought of her. He meets Peter and Netta at their house on Boxing Day, and their conversation goes well. However, George realizes Netta is sick because she is not drunk and cheerful like she usually is during that time of the year.
George is finally able to ask Netta out for dinner, and she agrees. He admits that his invitation was accepted because of the temporary money from his aunt. Unfortunately, the relationship doesn't go on for long, and Netta is not treating him as she used to.
Although George knows that Netta hates him and is using him for his money, he insists on asking her out and pleasing her with whatever she asks for. His extreme love for her made him forget his dignity, for Netta is treating him like an animal.
George meets his childhood best friend, Johnnie, by accident at a bar. It turns out that Johnnie works for Eddie Carstairs, a man whom Netta wants to meet very much and will do anything to grab his attention. Netta meets both men and acts as a lively woman, but Johnnie understands her personality.
Fortunately for George, he is able to invite Netta to go with him to Brighton, and he reserves her a room with his money. In fact, he tells her that the whole trip will be paid by him. Netta agrees because she wants money from George, who sensed this but did not care. He goes before Netta a day beforehand. During that day, George decides to minimize drinking and to start a new page with Netta. To his surprise, he finds her coming with Peter and another stranger.
George keeps going into his "dumb" state, as he calls it. During this state, he is constantly thinking about one goal: to kill Netta and go to Maidenhead. However, when he wakes up from this state, he doesn't remember anything about this goal. It's like George is two different people. He plans the murder of Netta and Peter and decides to kill them both at Netta's flat after inviting them for gin. George is about to kill Peter when his real self returns to him abruptly.
The author introduces us to a new character, Halliwell, who seems to be the only person who genuinely likes George. Unfortunately, they meet and have a conversation only once, for George tells him that he is moving.
George is again fooled by Netta, who allows him to kiss her and express his love to get his money. He asks her to go with him to Maidenhead, and after much argument and hesitation, she agrees. Unfortunately, she uses him again to get his money and yet doesn't go to Maidenhead as they planned. Instead, she invites Johnnie to go to one of Carstairs workers' birthday parties. Netta also uses Johnnie to get closer to Eddie.
George realizes how Netta fooled him and decides to go to Brighton. He is in a bad state and drinks a lot to the point of drinking and disorientation. He sees Netta, Eddie, and Johnnie together partying and gets worse. Suddenly, George stumbles upon Johnnie and discovers that Eddie and Johnnie hate Netta and fooled her into going somewhere else other than the birthday party. Events change dramatically and George becomes the guest of honor whom everyone likes and cares about. He gets sick and goes home, and that's when his dead mood starts.
He remembers that he has to kill Netta and Peter and decides to do that at once. He goes to Netta's house, opens the door with a key she gave him, and drowns her while she is taking a bath. Then, he calls Peter and tells him to come urgently, and he kills him with a golf club instantly. George travels to Maidenhead, where he realizes that nothing in his life has changed, so he decides to kill himself, leaving a note for the police that tells them the crimes he did.
