This is Jessie's Story... The story of her life as seen through her own eyes and of Simon's Story as he saw Jessie, because he was madly in love with her. It is also The Story of Romuel, who lusted after Jessie, but was incapable of love... and concludes with The Story of Mother Budapest... commonly known only as 'The Pest' and who hated everyone... and who was the mother of Romuel and Benjamin Bonfeze... Benjamin was unable to tell his story... he couldn't speak or write, but none of these stories would have been possible without him...