The story of repression and personal upheaval in a small town: Ezra is the preacher at a local New England town where he grew up. He is also dating the mayor's daughter, Rosemary, yet is nevertheless disenchanted with is life. When a young attractive woman named Clio asks for sanctuary at his parsonage. Ezra allows her to stay, although her presence comes to disturb the people in the community--not the least of whom is his girlfriend, Rosemary. Even though Clio's reasons for running away from home is unclear, Ezra becomes protective of her and neglectful of Rosemary. One day Clio's father comes in search of her, but she refuses to speak to him and Ezra continues to protect her. Her father's dogged insistence creates a disturbance in the community, causing the mayor to issue an ultimatum to Ezra: Clio must leave voluntarily or the police will come after her. What happens next explodes a tensions that has been building for years.