After 20 years of marriage, Richard and Joan Maple have decided to separate. Already having lovers of their own and having been unofficially separated, the two meet up in Joan’s car and decide it is time for Richard to move out. Richard goes apartment hunting in Boston and signs a lease on a new place. He calls Ruth, his mistress who has a marriage of her own, and tells her the news. They both hear the anxiety in his voice about moving out, and Richard struggles to adjust to a schedule that does not inherently include his wife or children. While cleaning up cigarette butts, he thinks about the contrasting feelings he has for the different women in his life. By Joan’s discussion, the broken couple go out to dinner together. They both talk about their new lovers and question what went wrong in their relationship. While watching Joan speak, Richard is certain even her smallest gestures will remain with him forever.