After the failure of his career, his marriage, and his suicide attempt, world-class grouch Boris Yellnikoff fancies himself as the only one who fully comprehends the meaningless of all human aspirations, and the pitch-black caos of the universe. One night, Boris is approached by a dewy-eyed innocent from Mississippi, Melody, who begs to be let into his apartment. Seeing that she is hungry and cold, he reluctantly agrees. Boris and Melody get married, despite their great age difference, and start a life that is surprisingly satisfying for both of them. But after a year, their happiness is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Melody’s strait-laced mother, Marietta, who has come to New York to find Melody and get away from her cheating husband. Marietta transforms radically, as her husband, Melody’s father, discovers on turning up in New York to find them both.