The crucial turning-point in the life of a 15-year old boy caught up in an extraordinarily dysfunctional family situation is examined in this tragedy. Outwardly, Tim seems normal enough. He is interested in sex and other teenage boy things. But six months ago his mother killed herself and now his father Ben, a policeman in the small town to which they just moved, is expressing his grief by physically and emotionally abusing Tim. He only has one friend in this new town, Eddie, whose mother disapproves of their friendship. When Tim finds an empty summer cottage, he creates a refuge. While exploring the cabin he finds a gun, and a video tape featuring the sexual exploits of Tracy, a teenage girl. Tim is beginning to plot revenge against his mean father when Tracy, hiding out from a recent abortion, suddenly comes to the cottage.