Eagertolandajournalisticposition,AdamWhitegoestoworkasanadvice-givingnewspapercolumnist.Hiseditor,Shrike,takespleasureinbrowbeatinghisalcoholicwifeFlorenceforherpastadultery,andassigninghisemployeesjournalisticjobsforwhichtheyhavelittleaptitudeorinterest.ShrikegoadsAdamintomeetingoneofhiscorrespondents,FayDoyle,ateary,self-pityingwomanwhomakesaplayforhim.AdamistornbetweenhisloyaltytothenewspaperandhisgirlJusty.