The narrator of this story is an 18-year-old aspiring actor who moves from Gunnison, Utah to Los Angeles, California with dreams of becoming a rich and famous actor. The narrator describes his daily life in Los Angeles, living in a rented room in a house owned by his landlady, Mrs. Honigbaum. The narrator buses tables in a pizza parlor at night and pursues auditions and acting opportunities during the day.

The narrator reminisces about his life in Utah and the reasons he wanted to leave. He had a strained relationship with his mother, who didn‘t understand his ambitions and frequently belittled him. He believes that Hollywood is the place where he can make something of himself and become a star. Before leaving Gunnison, his mother drives him to get a headshot taken at the request of a talent agent named Bob Sears, who, despite never actually seeing the narrator, assures him that he has the potential to succeed in the industry.

In Los Angeles, Bob Sears sends the narrator on a number of auditions that fail to result in work. Many of the auditions are in suspicious locations and end with casting agents taking pictures of the narrator shirtless. Mrs. Honigbaum offers the narrator comfort after his many rejections.