Jerry, an ambulance-chasing lawyer (and 8mm film hobbyist), lapses into a deep depression after he is scammed out of his retirement savings. His intense love of W.C. Fields, of whom he does impersonations, and his commitment to both his mixed-up half-sister Karen (who is going deaf and learning sign language) is the only thing keeping him from suicide.

"They said he could have been a great lawyer because he speaks in images. But...he is what he is."