1969. A gifted and somewhat narcissistic artist is focused on finishing his triptych representing African femininity. It's called "Wine in the Wilderness" from the Omar Khayyám poem. Bill must find his third muse, a "messed up chick, the worst gal in town." Well, some friends find the perfect model, Tommy, who's just been burned out of her house during a riot. As soon as she enters we feel ourselves starting to empathize with her, to root for her and to see her light, and we cringe at the coming revelation of what she is modeling for.