Based on an autobiographical short story by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., in"Welcome to the Monkey House", "Deer in the Works" tells the story of David Potter, owner of a small town weekly newspaper, who decides to get a more secure job. Despite his wife's misgivings, he applies to be a publicity writer at the mammoth Ilium Works. Although shaken at seeing how the company immediately plans out his entire career, he accepts the position.