A mathematics professor, in a race against time to publish his research, turns to cocaine. His colleague and girlfriend seeks William's help. William must nab the professor before he loses everything--his career, his personal life, even the diner owned by his immigrant parents. Meanwhile, William's son finds a used needle in their house after a dinner party. William is devastated to realize that the needle belongs to his former sponsor and faces the difficult decision to cut the man out of his life.