La institución regida por el doctor Benjamenta es una escuela de sirvientes, y los alumnos aprenden las técnicas de la servidumbre sometidos a todas las humillaciones posibles. Cuando Jakob Van Gunten franquea la puerta del instituto, y se inscribe en el programa de enseñanza, habrá de vérselas con las enigmáticas normas de la escuela, unos métodos incomprensibles... y la fría seducción de una mujer angustiada y bellísima.
Fred
Diana and Deric have an ideal marriage: they thrive in each other's company, they're funny, and they enjoy their two grown children and Deric's dotty mother; the trouble is, Diana can no longer walk and her malady defies medical diagnosis. To care for Diana, Deric is letting his business slide, but at a civic luncheon, he is seated next to Aileen Armitage, a novelist who is blind. They have a nice time, and on the sly, Diana contacts Aileen to made an odd request. Diana's declining health and her resolve bring this triangle of unlikely friends to a surprising place.
