Eleanor (Bernadette Peters), an aspiring hat designer, and a group of artists and models in the downtown New York City art world. Eleanor lives with her younger boyfriend Stash, an unknown artist, who is unfaithful and treats Eleanor with careless indifference. Eleanor expresses her feelings for Stash when she tells him that she was once attracted to him because he was dangerous. She stays with him despite the crumbling relationship because she has nowhere else to live—she is, in effect, a 'slave'. When a clothing designer, Wilfredo, discovers her hat designs and offers to use them in a fashion show, Eleanor gains the self-respect—and money—to leave Stash.

Lafayette Street (btw Jersey Street and Prince Street) Manhattan.

Jersey Street (btw Lafayette Street and Crosby Street) Manhattan.

Crosby Street (btw Jersey Street and Prince Street) Manhattan.

Apartment, 488-492 Broadway and Broome Street, Manhattan.