Renowned psychiatrist Theodore Isaac Rubin reveals the complex struggles of children with severe mental illness. Lisa and David are two troubled teens whose growing friendship breaks communication barriers.

David: Extremely intelligent, with extraordinary abilities in math, physics, and chess. He is passionately interested in clocks. He cannot bear to be touched, is petrified of germs and human contact. Suffers overwhelming panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Lisa: A schizophrenic who must constantly speak in singsong rhymes to avoid losing herself to Muriel--her moody, brooding, scowling, silent other self.