Helen and her mother Dorothy have traveled from New York to Germany to find a clinic that uses "blood-boiling" to cure cancer. While on a train to Frankfurt, Helen grieves the loss of her mother's health and fears that her mother will soon die. Helen begins to reflect upon her own life in California, where she moved to get away from her childhood, but which has proven to be a disappointing life. As they approach the station where they are meant to get off, Dorothy's condition worsens, and Helen fears that she will have to experience her mother's death even before they reach the clinic. Luckily, Dorothy continues to live through her pain and they make it to the clinic. On the steps, Helen realizes that her mother is just as confused and afraid as she has been. Dorothy still climbs the steps to the clinic with determination, ready to meet whatever life, or death, awaits her.