Jacob is a middle-aged German man running his deceased parents’ inn in Kauai, Hawaii. A young couple, Valerie and Larry, check in. Although Jacob finds Larry annoying, he bonds with Valerie over literature and their mutual dislike of swimming and flying. Their attraction makes Jacob think back to a visit from his best friend, Owen, and Owen’s insipid wife, Joanne. Joanna had tried to come onto Jacob, but Jacob rebuked her.

One night, Jacob invites Valerie to his room, but she bids him farewell for the night. The next morning, she and Larry check out. Once they’re gone, Jacob spends the day in terror about her upcoming flight, despite having assured her that everything would be okay as she left.