A convention of white supremacists led by Russell Slocum antagonize two elderly African-Americans, Carrie and Garland Fisk, who are on a long-delayed honeymoon. The Fisks return from shopping to find their room has been broken into and trashed. Pushed too far, Garland, disguised as a waiter, slips into the banquet room and flings a tray of food at Slocum. Peter informs Slocum that two of the hotel's chambermaids saw members of his group break into the Fisk's room. Peter packs the racists' bags and gives them a small refund, with a reimbursement for the Fisk's deducted. An overprotective mother, Helen Scofield, seeks psychiatric treatment for her 21-year-old daughter, Andrea, who has been mute since seeing her father burn to death. After a doctor recommends institutionalizing Andrea, the young woman wanders away from the hotel and befriends a street mime named Michael. With Michael's encouragement, Andrea speaks for the first time in ten years and begs Michael not to leave her. Michael

A room service attendant, Steve, who keeps his illiteracy a secret, faces personal and professional crises. Steve had to quit school when he was eight years old in order to support his family. His college-bound son, Rob, has a difficult time accepting his father when he finds out about his illiteracy without knowing the circumstances behind it. When Steve turns down a promotion and then tries to quit, Peter won't allow him, offering instead to pay for remedial education. Peter's ex-wife Janet comes to town seeking Peter's help in finding a job. Peter and Janet have stayed on good terms, and Peter gets her an interview at a small San Francisco hotel. Jealous that Peter and Janet are spending time together, Christine confronts Janet, only to learn that Janet has failed the physical exam for the job because she has a terminal illness. Janet realizes that the only person she can turn to is Peter.

Bellman Dave arranges accommodations for his old fraternity, Delta Beta, to celebrate its pledge week. Blaine Chapman, leader of Delta Beta's alumni chapter, is on hand with his son Tony, a college junior and fraternity jock. When one of the pledges, Alan Hewitt, is severely beaten, Dave launches an anti-hazing crusade and takes a beating himself in the process. Meanwhile, Peter's terminally ill ex-wife Janet is afraid to die alone and plays on Peter's sympathies in an effort to steal him away from Christine. Janet asks Christine if she can have Peter for six months, after which Christine could have him back. Finding Janet's idea unacceptable, Christine demands that Peter choose between her and Janet. Peter decides to give Janet his emotional support as a friend, but maintain Christine as his girlfriend. Soon after Peter's decision, Janet suffers from a heart attack and dies with Peter at her bedside.