Several years after the war in Vietnam Joseph "Megs" Megessey, an unpredictably explosive war veteran, visits Dave, his army buddy. Dave lives with his sisiter Martha and has turned to heavy drinking to forget his Vietnamese experiences. During his visit, Megs frightens both with his neurotic ramblings. Still, Martha is grateful that Megs’ presence seems to be lifting Dave out of his deep funk. She encourages Megs to stay on for a while and eventually falls in love with him. Martha has no way of knowing that Dave's depression has been brought about by the death of a wartime pal—a death he blames on Megs.