New York writing professor, Frannie Avery, has an affair with a police detective who is investigating the murder of a beautiful young woman in her neighborhood.

Frannie: The still waters of the water under a frond of stars. The still waters of your mouth under a thicket of kisses.
[first lines]
Pauline: What does "broccoli" mean"?
Frannie: Depends on the context. Pubic hair or marijuana. It's a noun.
Pauline: And "Virginia"?
Frannie: Vagina. As in, "He penetrated her Virginia with a hammer".
Detective Malloy: [to Frannie] You know what your problem is? You're fucking exhausting. Fuck this, you know, I was doing just fine before I met you, just fine.
Pauline: I wanna get married once... just for my mom.
Pauline: You oughta go... just for the exercise you should go!
Cornelius Webb: [after class] I've been thinking on Gacy, you know? Pogo the Clown? I've been thinking that it wasn't his fault, you know? Like he were the victim.
Frannie: Of what?
Cornelius Webb: Desire.