Critics and the public say Karen Stone is too old -- as she approaches 50 -- for her role in a play she is about to take to Broadway. Her businessman husband, 20 years her senior, has been the angel for the play and gives her a way out: They are off to a holiday in Rome for his health. He suffers a fatal heart attack on the plane. Mrs. Stone stays in Rome. She leases a magnificent apartment with a view of the seven hills from the terrace. Then the contessa comes calling to introduce a young man named Paolo to her. The contessa knows many presentable young men and lonely American widows.

Keon wants his friend's girlfriend so he tries to take her by force but she gets away. Instead, she runs into a truck driver who rapes and murders her. Keon is wracked with guilt. As the investigators close in on Keon, Madam Sun-wu hides him. Keon becomes Madam Sun-wu's toy-boy. He also becomes a nude model for Ma Mi-ae, Madam Sun-wu's friend. Mi-ae is drawn to Keon. Mrs. Yun, whose husband is impotent, also looks to Keon to satisfy her desires. As the investigation's net tightens, Keon's life falls apart. Mrs. Yun dumps Keon on a road in the middle of the night. The prostitute Lan helps Keon out. However, in despair, Keon runs out into the rain and screams. On TV, the news broadcast the capture of the real criminal.