In this Taiwanese film set, in Taipei, the effects of urban living upon those living on the fringe of affluent society are examined. Hsiao-kang is a salesman who sells niches for crematorium urns. He is apparently unhappy and in the film's first scene he sneaks into a vacant apartment with a stolen key and tries to slash his wrists. Ah-jung sells clothing on the streets of Tai-pei. As Hsiao-kang is attempting suicide, Ah-jung enters the same apartment with May, an aging real-estate agent. Later Hsiao-kang and Ah-jung meet and become friends. Ah-jung and May again return to the apartment for another tryst. But this time Hsiao-kang is hiding beneath the bed and accidentally witnesses their lovemaking. Later, May suffers a teary breakdown while heading to work.