Francis arrives in Venice to write his next novel. In looking for an apartment to rent, he meets real estate agent Judith and instantly falls in love. Judith suggests he take a look at a remote house on Sant' Erasmo island. Francis offers her a barter deal: if she moves in with him, he will sign right away. And so their life as a couple begins. Francis is so out of his mind with joy that he cannot settle down to write. However, when he is not writing, he starts to wonder what Judith does with her days. In order to get some answers, he hires a young ex-con to spy on her.