Morrie is an uptight university professor who is anxiously seeking tenure. This requires the approval of his department head, who lives next door. Morrie and his wife Betty live in the house he inherited at 18, after his mother died and his father committed suicide. Morrie has raised his brother Jay and sister Ida and both have problems of their own. Ida is a substance abuser, as well as being promiscuous. Jay is a deeply gentle and sensitive soul whose actions are almost completely unfettered by advanced thought. When Jay gets run over by a car, Morrie asks him to move in for a while. Without asking permission, Jay invites Ida to join them, stressing Morrie and Betty's relationship and jeopardizing his career with their outrageous behavior.