Red, a young, orphaned boy with a grotesque, red left arm, was sold to the circus, but has no memories of his life prior to his purchase. Refusing to work as a performer, Red takes on odd jobs in exchange for food and a place to live, something that he manages very well despite his inability to move his left arm. One day, after a show, Cosimov begins to beat Red. The ringmaster enters at the commotion, but Cosimov insists that he was trying to teach Red a lesson for lazing around. The ringmaster believes him and punishes Red by taking away his dinner.