When he discovers that his boarder -- a promising young novelist (David Boreanaz) who owes months of back rent -- has been taking advantage of his hospitality, frustrated musician John Vandermark (Alan Cumming) ties up and beats him. But when the treatment goes further than he expects, Vandermark hatches a new scheme to achieve the critical fame that always eluded him. Anne Heche and Carrie Fisher co-star in this black comedy. Cumming directs.