Amanda Effrem, nicknamed Effie, a young woman journalist, confused about her chosen career path, moves to the country on the Eastern Shore and becomes enamored with Mortimer Washington, a handsome idiot savant. She is determined to break through his shell to understand him and get closer to him. Gideon Faulk, a young missionary who has given up his post in an Asian Village, returns home and becomes enamored with her. Jealousy stimulates Mortimers desire to confess the truth of his real identity to Effie in a brutal way. Gideon tries to win her heart, while her shrink, Dr. Anthony Spagnola, tries to get her into his bed. She must choose between them.