Julia, an American girl living in Bombay due to her father’s job, arrives at Zubin’s house. Zubin has returned home to write a book in Bombay after attending graduate school, but tutors people to make money. Because he went to Harvard, his services are popular. Julia wants to get into Berkeley but has no interest in writing the application essay. Zubin remembers Harvard, and how he wanted American sweaters. Julia remembers how she almost lost her virginity to a German boy in Paris. Julia and her older sister Claudia have lived in San Francisco, Delhi, Dallas, Moscow, and Paris. Now, Julia lives with her father in Bombay. Julia’s father used to be in the oil business, but now works for a French wireless company in Bombay. Claudia lives in New York near Julia’s mother, who had an affair with Julia’s therapist in Paris and didn’t want to move to Bombay. Zubin remembers losing his virginity to a girl named Tessa at Harvard. Zubin arrives for a session at Julia’s house. He meets Julia’s father, a witty and charming man, who invites Zubin to dinner. Privately, Julia asks Zubin to write her essay for her, offering him $1,000. Zubin insists she write it herself. They go on a walk and Zubin asks Julia whether or not she thinks Bombay is beautiful as they gaze at the ocean. Julia replies lots of things are beautiful if one sees them at the right time. Julia visits with Anouk, her best friend, who gives Julia condoms and encourages Julia to lose her virginity to Zubin despite Zubin’s age. At their next session, Zubin and Julia study a poem about a man trying to sleep with a virgin. While watching their fathers play tennis, Anouk tells Julia that the real reason Julia’s father moved to Bombay is because Julia’s father was caught in some legal trouble in the oil business. Confused, Julia leaves the tennis court and takes a taxi to Zubin’s house. Zubin is drinking when Julia unexpectedly arrives. The two flirt in his bedroom. Zubin tells her he won’t write her essay. He kisses Julia briefly, then calls a taxi to drive her home. Zubin writes Julia’s college essay for her; it’s about beauty. He plans to deliver it to her on the day her SAT scores come out, after a celebratory dinner with Julia and her father. After dinner, Zubin sneaks up to Julia’s room to deliver the essay. Julia reads the essay Zubin wrote for her and the two have sex in Julia’s bed. Julia lies and says it isn’t her first time. Zubin leaves and goes for a walk in Bombay.