Brian Martin is a paranoid schizophrenic whose problem begins very early in life. His suffering is shared by his family, particularly his mother. Her declining health is aggravated by pain and anxiety caused by Brianas bizarre behavior. Brian keeps hearing voices urging him to run away from danger. His episodic experiences come alive in every detail. While in therapy, he becomes attracted to a girl who is particularly interested in his welfare, having herself participated in a similar therapy that contributed to her recovery. They finally get married and later move to Winnipeg where her scheming aunt influences her to divorce Brian and marry her adopted son. Shortly thereafter, Brian returns to Los Angeles, heavily drugged and with an escort. Suddenly his mother becomes seriously ill. While on her deathbed, she extracts a promise from his older brother that he must never lose sight of Brian.