Charlie, a young aristocrat in turn of the century England, meets a boy named Frank on the road to Portsmouth. What Charlie doesn't realize is that Frank is actually Frances, who's donned a disguise to escape working at a brothel. Charlie takes Frank/Frances into his home, and when he discovers her true identity, the two become lovers.

A uranium deposit brings turmoil to the small South American republic of Guatalpa. Between two revolutions, the government tries unsuccessfully to decide whether the Americans, Soviets or Cubans will exploit the concession. Delegates from these nations spy on and betray each other to achieve their goal.

A free-spirited single mother forms a connection with the wedded headmaster of an Episcopalian boarding school in Monterey, California.