The Chip and the Fourth Man

Everyone has a chip in the back of their back of their neck representing the sum total of their existence. This gives rise to chip thieves. The protagonist is John Zahn--once a celebrated professor of literature--until he has his chip stolen . He interacts with his first friend (Headman One), his Mate (Jo-L), and his Offspring (Eev), until he comes face-to-face with his chip thief.