The story takes place at 722 Toulouse Street, a rundown boarding house in the French Quarter of New Orleans circa 1938. There, a young writer becomes involved in the lives of the landlady, Mrs. Wire, and her various tenants.

The action is concernerd with interlocking lies of the various residents; a tubercular, homosexual, painter; a doomed young girl and her course lover; two aging "ladies" living in near poverty ; and the eccentric, irrepressible landlady, who veers from cruelty to sentiment in her treatment of her charges.

Filled with evocotive memories and sharply etched portraits of its singular characters, what makes these folks stand out is their quiet dignity. These are people who cover their pain and lonliness with smooth small talk. They make the best of whatever harsh hand fate has dealt them...