Failed businessman Martin Mirkheim has devoted himself to the teachings of Dr. Luthor Waxling, a late-night cable guru and novelist. Having convinced himself that all of his financial problems will be solved if he can only turn Waxling's novel "Daniel Strong" into a feature film, Mirkheim embarks on a journey that takes him to Dallas in search of Dr. Waxling. Rebuffed, Mirkheim goes to New York and enters the enigmatic world of Kim Ulander, a businessman of suspicious means.