The story begins in a small town in Oregon where Joshua Haigh befriends Clarence Clarbourne at High School. This friendship develops, but is never quite on equal terms. Josh is in awe of Clarence, his self-confidence, charm and magnetism, while Clarence demands such utter devotion from his friend that his attitude seems to be more one of disrespect or disdain than of friendship. The two young men find wives and go their separate ways, until Josh receives a call from Clarence offering him a job as a journalist. After accepting the job, their sado-masochistic relationship resumes and intensifies, only now, with Clarence’s growing inner troubles and alcohol dependency, his actions become psychotic. Tragedy strikes when Josh, acting in self-defence, is forced to kill his best friend.

Confused and lost, Josh goes on the run, reaching Canada. Meanwhile, his wife, Nicole, who he has neglected owing to work, has left him for another man. On his trip he encounters a string of flawed characters and finds himself in bizarre and sometimes dangerous situations. Finally, at the end of his tether, he gives himself up to the police. At his trial he is found not guilty and returns to his wife and daughter.