San Francisco public relations executive Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) meets and falls in love with secretary Kirsten Arnesen (Lee Remick). Kirsten is a Teetotalism until Joe introduces her to Drinking culture#Social drinking. She is reluctant at first, but after her first few Brandy Alexanders, she admits that having a drink "made me feel good." Despite the misgivings of Kirsten's father (Charles Bickford), who runs a San Mateo landscaping business, they marry and have a daughter, Debbie.