Mooney Pottie is a 15-year-old girl sick of her life in small-town New Waterford, Nova Scotia. She is considered an exceptional student by her depressive, semi-alcoholic English teacher, Cecil who also nurtures an inappropriate crush towards her that is not reciprocated by Mooney. Based on her talent Cecil suggests that she should be allowed to move to New York City in order to cultivate her gift and manages to get her a scholarship at a school there. Her parents refuse to let her go, however.