Julie Rose is a stuck-up, uptight, vain young Jewish American woman from a wealthy family who writes poetry and wants to be a professional poet but make as much money as she can while doing so. She is squeamish and easily disgusted by less than attractive people or topics in her poetry. Her best friend, a similarly self-absorbed, fame-seeking, and beautiful but less uptight nightclub singer named Brenda Thompson who goes by the name "Ruby Goldmine," often teases Julie for her unrealistic goals.