Just Be There

Mitchell "Mitch" Adams, a de-commissioned U.S. Marine captain who returned from Vietnam a day earlier, wakes up with Kathy, his longtime girl friend, at her apartment. For his official homecoming, they drive to the expensive Minneapolis, Minnesota, home of Mitch's parents, Frank and Mary Adams. Frank, president of Adams Commodities, wants Mitch to join his brokerage firm, but Mitch explains that Vietnam changed his priorities, and now he wants to write a novel about the war. Having already chased Mitch's younger brother, Joey Adams, out of the house for being a conscientious objector, Frank dismisses the idea of his son being a writer, but he thinks Mitch will change his mind when he settles into civilian life. Mitch moves into his former bedroom, but spends most of his time with Kathy and avoids his father. He talks with Kathy about Vietnam and his difficulty getting close to people after seeing friends die. One night, as Mitch and Kathy swim nude in Lake Calhoun, a policeman arrests them for public indecency, and a local newspaper sensationalizes the story because of the prominence of Mitch's family. After a shouting match with Frank, Mitch moves into Kathy's apartment, and brother Joey celebrates by giving Mitch and Kathy a female puppy named Stud. Frank is unhappy with Mitch's new situation, however, and invites his son for lunch at an exclusive country club to offer him a part-time job at the brokerage selling pork bellies. Mitch tells his father he will think about it, but instead goes to a local unemployment office. After learning that no jobs are available, Mitch rides his motorcycle into the hills to clear his mind. He returns to Minneapolis and takes the job at his father's firm. Frank assigns sales chief Guy Murphy to teach Mitch how to make "cold calls" to prospective clients. Frank also gives Mitch a company Porsche, and puts public relations staffer Carol Redding, who comes from a wealthy Minneapolis family, in charge of showing him around. Kathy is unhappy with the new situation, but Mitch assures her that he will continue to write his novel. Over the next few weeks, however, Mitch becomes comfortable with his new status and spends more time with his coworkers, including Carol. When Mitch visits Kathy at the elementary school where she teaches, the difference in their lifestyles seems more evident to him. Finally, after Mitch comes home late, Kathy refuses to speak to him, but he makes up with her at a laundromat. The relationship goes awry,