Mufford, a small old man, goes to check on the artwork of Madeline, a young woman. She has been experimenting with her paintings instead of doing regular landscapes. Mufford tells her to finish her experiment, and she is reluctant at first because the old way of painting is familiar and safe but continues, nonetheless. They hear a noise outside, and Mufford looks out the windows and calmly comments that a red-headed young man has jumped over the garden wall. Dressed in all white, the man crosses the garden to the glass doors and tells them that he is running and wants to stay. His nametag reads Teddy, and they calmly invite him in. While he explains that he was an orderly at the hospital, the doorbell rings. While eating together later, Mufford says that the police were searching for a young man and asks Teddy about his situation. Teddy reveals that the police believe he murdered patients at the hospital. He recalls the tired old men and women at the hospital, claiming that he loved them and did it for five of them. Mufford supplies that he “sent them on to life,” and Madeline whispers that he killed them. Teddy agrees with Mufford. As Teddy continues staying with them, he voices his doubts about what he should be doing. He does not know if it is right to stay, and Mufford ambiguously responds that it could be. Mufford and Madeline also talk about Teddy’s doubts and potential unhappiness. Mufford explains that Teddy questions why he is there, and Madeline responds with regret for experimenting. They believe he is “ready.” Later, Madeline voices her concerns about Teddy leaving and what will happen to her and Mufford if he does. To her relief, Mufford says he will talk with him. Once again, Teddy starts questioning Mufford again about why he is there. Mufford says that Teddy can paint, and Teddy is shocked and says he cannot. Mufford says him and Madeline will teach Teddy. He continues working with them and is suddenly inspired to sculpt. Mufford often joins him in the shed, and him and Teddy are secretive about the sculpture. Madeline watches them from the window. After a breakfast together one morning, Madeline is shocked to hear that the constant chipping from Teddy’s workshop has stopped. She rushes out to the window to look for Mufford, but he has disappeared from the garden where he was doing work. She sees Teddy come out from the shed, followed by a young man with an appearance resembling Mufford. Like Mufford often did, the young man starts to smoke and chats with Teddy. Madeline quickly runs outside and finds that Teddy is alone and surrounded by cigarette smoke. He smiles at her, and she approaches him.