Nish Flannigan, a famous author in Newfoundland, is nominated for the same award as two of his former protégés, Paulette and Patrick. Paulette is also his ex-wife, who he physically and emotionally abused and who left him months ago. Nish thinks she overreacted. It is hinted that Patrick physically attacked Nish in the past, to protect either himself or Paulette.

At the event, Nish watches Paulette and Patrick talk the whole time. An arts reporter annoys Paulette by calling her a female Patrick. Nish tries to drug Paulette but ends up drugging Patrick, who Paulette takes home when she notices he's ill. The next morning, she finds out she won the award they were all nominated for. She leaves Patrick's apartment and Nish follows her, offering her a ride. She worries if she declines he can follow her home and find out where she lives, so she lets him take her to his home. He gives her tea and drugs her. She wakes up tied up in his soundproofed room.

Patrick comes looking for her at Nish's and Nish says he hasn't seen her. Patrick goes to the police. Nish has stolen Patrick's sculpting tools and plans to use his bush hammer to kill Paulette and leave her body in a bog, framing Patrick. Patrick comes to Nish's again and sees Paulette's body but has been drugged by Nish. Nish sets him on fire.

Patrick wakes in a hospital badly burned with a hazy memory. He reads to Paulette, also in the hospital, in a coma.