It begins in a moment of abrupt chaos; violent and frenzied music that is halted by a strangely bright and mechanical interruption. This initial "alarm" continues to make appearances throughout the piece, but gradually degrades and becomes more urgent as the music unfolds. The ensemble presses forward through gestures and melodies which in turn feel playful and at times meditative; all amid the ever-returning presence of this sound which signals, "something is very much not ok."

By the end of the piece, the alarm has transformed, distorted, and amplified itself to such an extent that it wins out. The danger has arrived, and the piece closes with an overwhelming and mangled tolling out of this alarm bell: meant at first to be a warning it has now become an assailing and unfeeling reminder of the consequences of inaction.