"Brief Lives" continues as Delirium of The Endless enlists her brother, The Sandman, in her quest to find their long-lost brother, Destruction. And much to the surprise of Morpheus's servants, their master agrees to walk the waking world in search of their prodigal sibling.

"Two: It Always Rains on the Unloved-Wet Dreams-A Fishing Expedition-She Kisses Wyverns (The Disneyland Analogy)-Dinner Etiquette and Chocolate Lovers-Desire Swears by the First Circle-"Things are Changing"-What Can Possibly Go Wrong?"

Dream (The Sandman, Morpheus) has been dumped. His girl (unnamed in the story) has left him and he is depressed. He allows his mood to cause a rainstorm in The Dreaming and disturb all his subjects, though he acknowledges to himself he hardly knew the woman.

Delirium seeks out Dream and asks him to accompany her on her quest to find Destruction, their lost brother. He agrees because he believes they will be unable to find him and he needs the distraction.