Blaming himself for a tragedy involving one of his students, English teacher Finn (David Strathairn) leaves his job and family, moves into a boarding house and sells encyclopedias door-to-door in this dreamlike indie drama. As he makes his way through his small New England town, Finn connects with some of the local residents, attracts the attention of single mother Alice (Jane Adams) and is haunted by a ghost who trails him relentlessly.