[1] French journalist Nada Lumiere and rising New York City musician Billy have a volatile relationship, frequently fighting and breaking up and then reuniting shortly after.

Nada takes an extended break from Billy, claiming to be out of town on an assignment, to reconnect with an earlier lover and journalist colleague, Hoffritz, who comes to New York pursuing an interview with artist Andy Warhol.

In her absence, Billy grows so disillusioned with the trappings of his increasing success by signing away all his rights and royalties to Jack, and letting himself get caught up with another woman, a flaky aspiring documentarian named Lizzy.

A mutual friend tips off Billy that Nada is still in the city, and he crashes a birthday party for her thrown by Jack, with Lizzy in tow, which rekindles her attraction to him.

He initially sits silent to Hoffritz's questions, frustrating him, but Nada is able to coax him to expound about film, vanity and fame.