ToaroominghousewhichhasfallenonhardtimescomesTheStranger,anunknownbutgentlemanwhoisgiventhebackroomonthethirdfloor.Hisarrivalmarksachangeinthelivesofalltheboarders,fromthegirlresistingherparents`pleasthatshemarrythelecherousMr.Wright,toanarchitectandapianist,bothofwhosedreamsareneardestructionfromtheirowndiscouragement.