Michael Winslow plays the role of William, a Vietnam War veteran who was paralyzed both physically and mentally. As the movie opens, William is a patient in the Veterans Administration Hospital for ongoing treatment. While there, his old war buddy and best friend, Ted (played by Bob Carter), comes to visit him. On this day, they play their usual game of chess. But this time they also play a mental game of what does it mean to really live.

Jane is late...Skip is stressed...Bud has a solution.