The town of Lor was once ruled by a king — or a tyrant, depending on who you ask. He is gone now, or possibly coming back. Into this political uncertainty enters Dwight Periwinkle, a wisecracking layabout who lands himself a membership in the Flanarchy Society (they have flans). Amy Voight, a reporter firmly in the pro-king camp, will say what she thinks regardless. And young Ellie does not care about any of it — she wants lychees, and she will find every single one.