Late 1990s New York City. A poor and desperate would be novelist navigates the minefield of a dysfunctional relationship with an equally dysfunctional painter named Julia. Each day is the same: living in the searing heat of his dilapidated apartment, unable to write, unable to understand the woman who keeps tormenting him with endless mind games. He's at wit's end and wants nothing more than to run off to Paris in order to follow in the footsteps of his literary heroes. But Paris has to wait as he weaves in and out of New York City nightlife as his friendships deteriorate and his reasons for going on evaporates. Upon learning the news of a dire situation of a good friend, as well as his long desired sexual encounter with Julia finally taking place, he as no idea how much more complicated things can become.