Quin Taylor is a well-respected professor who disdains contemporary poets, but likes celebrities - so when he learns that famed poet Sean O'Shaughnessy is visiting California, he hastens to schedule a guest lecture. Shaughnessy turns out to have an unexpectedly scandalous character. He drinks excessively and behaves disrespectfully, leading to trepidation on the university's behalf - they are unsure about going forward with the guest lecture. Taylor, however, takes charge. He prides himself on being a 'manager' of poets, and tells himself that it does not matter that he could not be one himself. Indeed, Taylor seems to be good at 'managing' poets. He tracks down a drunken Shaughnessy, entertains his whims, and offers up his own hospitality for the night in order to ensure that everything goes as planned. Shaughnessy's reading goes smoothly, and the audience is left decidedly impressed. Taylor interprets this reaction as a commendation for his own actions, and does not want the evening to end. He plans an after-party, inviting several prominent literary figures to his home, with Shaughnessy as the guest of honour. Unfortunately, the poet's good humor seems to have run out, and as the night progresses, Shaughnessy behaves improperly with Taylor's wife, Emily. She begs her husband to help, but he is so caught up in his own 'courtliness' and good manners that he makes excuses for Shaughnessy's inappropriate behavior. The party ends on a sour note, and Taylor drives Shaughnessy to the station. He is proud of the signed books he has received from the latter, as well as a draft of a project in the poet's own handwriting; indifferent to his wife's anger, Taylor cries himself to sleep that night thinking about 'the poet at bay.'