Keeping her secret from husband Rick isn't that difficult -- their marriage has deteriorated into a performance for the in-laws. Millie, her co-worker, is slightly more difficult to fool, but Leila is beyond caring and she spends her breaks smoking by the river, wondering why. Sometimes she notices a little Girl feeding the swans that nest nearby and after a few shared moments they become friends.

October brings Gary Jensen, a john who hits Leila, shocking her into another glimpse of her elusive purchase: reflected in Gary is Leila's deeper urge to break and be broken, and their meetings soon escalate. One night, another customer roughs Leila up and Gary furiously gets back at him. The next day, Leila skips out of a family lunch with Rick and his parents, escaping with Gary for a drive in the country. Gary reveals the pleasure he gets from knowing that, while Leila is rented by so many men, she is his alone.

Back at work Leila finds Millie pacing with anxiety -- she can't ignore all the men asking for Leila any longer, but Leila dismisses her and Millie goes home. Nonplussed, Leila talks to the Girl from the river; they're both sick of the dusty motel and the pokey town. There's nothing left in Suspicious River for Leila anymore, and when Gary suggests that they disappear forever Leila sees the chance to close in on the mirage she has been pursuing all along.

Clearing out the cash register, they jump in Gary's car and head for his house where he says they'll be spending the night. Leaving Leila with a friend, Gary drives off without explanation. When Leila opens her purse to find her earnings gone she is certain that tonight she will find out what ending her dark fairy tale will have. Awaiting Gary's return, Leila hears her fate in the roar of a half-dozen engines heading up the drive. The headlights wash silver-white through the front window, and in their glare Leila finally sees the object of her awful journey shining before her. She now knows what she has been looking for, but the gang of men are right outside the door and she wonders if it is too late.