When a stranger arrives at a dissatisfied man's door, the man is reluctant to buy the "Miracle Polish" offered to him. However, he buys one bottle to get the stranger to go away, and later uses it to polish a mirror in his house. He expects the polish will not do anything. However, the polish makes everything reflected in the mirror take on a fresh, hopeful glow. The man doubts this new reflected world, so he invites Monica, his lover, to his house to make sure this effect is not simply the product of his imagination. Monica, who is perpetually dissatisfied with her appearance, is shocked when she sees her reflection, and the man knows the Miracle Polish really is miraculous. He becomes obsessed with mirrors, and places more and more in his house. He avoids any mirrors that have not been polished. The mirrors give him a sense of joy and zest, but Monica becomes more and more upset by them. The man takes Monica on a picnic to prove everything is fine and that he isn't absorbed with the mirrors. They have a good time, but the man can't help but feel that they only play the part of happy, normal people. He's instantly relieved to see the mirrors when they get home, but Monica admits that she hates the mirror version of herself and that her lover will have to choose between them. After deliberation, the man knows what he has to do and invites Monica back to his house. He shows her that he's taken down all the mirrors and then pours the polish down the drain. Monica is thrilled, but then the man shows her all of the mirrors lined up outside the house. He smashes them with a hammer, and repeatedly asks her if she's happy now. Monica leaves, and later, the man mourns the mirrors and wishes for the stranger to come back with more Miracle Polish so that he can buy every bottle.