Despite superficial similarities to Naked Lunch, including a low-life and down-on-his-luck writer who experiences hallucinogenically surreal fantasies and confuses them for reality, this experimental, black-and-white drama is not based on William S. Burroughs' classic beat novel. In this movie, the writer earns cash by working at a day job at a factory, and when this isn't enough he takes on his buddy and buddy's girlfriend as roommates. In addition, he sometimes puts on impromptu poetry performances on busy street corners to raise a little cash. Despite some strikingly European fantasies (including one featuring Nubian priests and a Wagnerian heroine), vodka is the fuel this writer uses to keep his creative juices flowing.