PHILADELPHIA,1947-ProfessorRoddySchiffman,abigwheelinthepsychologicalcommunityoftheday,isknee-deepinhislatestresearchproject:anacademictextonpathologicalnarcissism.Thoughhislastbookwasabighit,thingsdon'tlooksorosythistimearound;Roddyhaswriter'sblock.ThingstakeafurthernosedivewhenRoddylosescontrolanddecksgraduatestudentSalUnmarino,whoslinksbacktohisadvisorDr.SlavkoP.Slavko.Salspillshisguts,paintingapictureofaRoddywho'snotonlydesperatetocompletehisbook,butwhohaslapsedbackintooldways,hittingthecupshard.Slavkosensessomething'snotquiteright,butevenheisshockedwhenaclandestinesearchofRoddy'sofficerevealsthatRoddyahsbeenblowingSaloffandrunningwithaformerHollywoodprettyboy,nowfull-timenobodynamedChesterTrunche.