Johnnie is a foreman of a construction crew. On the outside he seems very "normal" and straight, but one evening we see him putting on makeup and a feather boa and going out for a night in the city.

Eleven-year-old North has had it with his parents. They are always busy with their careers and don't give North the attention he needs, so he files a lawsuit against them. The judge rules that North should either find new parents or return to his own parents within two months. Thus North starts off on a journey around the world to find parents that really care about him.