Glockneeb, who is nearing discharge from the military, is worried. After receiving a letter from his sweetheart Fanny Tushbottom that ends abruptly in midsentence, he returns to civilian life and desperately wants to locate her. In her apartment, he finds a mysterious and puzzling message hidden in one of her shoes that he is unable to decipher, forcing him to reluctantly reconnect with his life-long friend, Moose, who runs (though not very successfully) his own private investigation agency. Glockneeb, Moose, and ultimately the F.B.I., use the few clues they have to see if they can track down the love of Glockneeb's life. As they muddle through their investigation, we are left to wonder if there is any way that they can ever find Fanny.