Wisconsin, 1964. Andy Vincent's home in Falkirk is extremely dysfunctional. The environment becomes so oppressive, he withdraws into his imagination and creates his own private world. His parent's madness inspires feelings of disgust and disbelief. Are love, freedom, joy, or sanity even possible? When he learns that Sara Roberts likes him, he finally has something real and hopeful, but their love lasts only for a year. Her father, an engineer at a paper mill, is transferred to Southern California. Andy is devastated when Sara moves away, and realizes he can no longer remain at home. He buys a car and drives across the country to be with Sara, hoping to reclaim their love.