Peter Birge, a New York City journalism student fresh out of the Army, has lost his summer. He had planned to study abroad, but his mother, an alcoholic and an epileptic, needs the money for a stint in a sanitarium in Greenwich, Connecticut. When it finally comes time to drive her there, he cannot help but feel relieved, even if a bit lonely. After dropping her off, he decides to stop in at Robert Vielum's house. He knows the middle-aged, dilettantish Robert from school, where he audits classes almost constantly. Inside, he finds Vince, Robert's current lodger, and a stranger named Mario Osti. Vince Mario and Robert are about to leave for a trip to Rome. Vince grows agitated, lunging first for the record player and then for Robert himself. He runs out the door when the arrival of Susan, Robert's daughter, distracts everyone. Only when Mario chances to look outside the window do they realize that Vince has killed himself. Much later, Peter and Susan have dinner in an all-night restaurant. Charged with taking care of her, Peter is bringing her to her (third) stepfather's house, but Susan decides she'd rather stay on Peter's couch. With her asleep in the car next to him, Peter pulls into his parking spot an hour later. He has never felt more alive in his entire life.