 Civilization and its discontents. November, 2002; five stories in New York City. An older woman lives in a wordless marriage with her TV-watching husband; she reconnects with a man from her high school and sees new possibilities. A brittle maker of expensive cakes tastes the bitter fruits of competition. Two Indian security guards interact: one is a constant flirt, the other an irritable bully. An employee who has lost colleagues is interviewed over several days by a pushy and unorthodox psychologist. A couple faces financial problems while their overweight son exhibits more and more problematic behavior. What s behind the ennui and unhappiness? Are the stories at all connected?