Mike Corbett, a radical student opposed to the Vietnam war, seeks shelter after a demonstration at a girl friend's apartment but instead finds only her roommate, Lee, there. Lee is attracted by Mike's dedication to the cause; they fall in love and begin living together. Lee begins to help Mike in his protest work but does not become wholeheartedly involved. Mike and his radical organization stage a sit-in at the Berkeley draft induction center; the police are called in and attack the demonstrators, arresting Lee and beating Mike into unconsciousness. Lee later rejoins Mike and tries to encourage him to leave the movement and reenter the university from which he has been expelled. They visit Professor Williams, one of Mike's teachers and a former radical, who also tries to persuade Mike to live within the academic world rather than protest against the inequities of society. Mike abandons his two friends, however, and resumes his protest activities.