London, during the autumn. Sydney, a young and passionate writer, works with Richard Westfield, a famous writer whose inspiration is now flagging. Encouraged by his girlfriend, Lola, Sydney gives his debut novel to Westfield to read. The young man's talent sends the old man into a spin and he savagely dismisses the novel. Wounded, Sydney resigns. He goes on to have great difficulty getting his novel published, until Lola informs him of Westfield's underhand tactics: Sydney's mentor has claimed the novel as his own and it has become an instant bestseller. Sydney's nightmare is just beginning...