Peter James is a rising star of the academic film world, feted in obscurity, when one Max Fischer calls. Max is the biggest producer in Hollywood, the king of action flicks, and he wants Peter. So Peter burns his bridges all the way from New York to L.A., tossing out his tweeds and books and gleefully shopping for his new Left Coast lifestyle.

It takes less than a week of running out at midnight to pick up pickles from Max's favorite deli for Peter to realize he's made a mistake. In this claustrophobic world of fast-paced cynicism and manipulation, Peter wants to be more than just a flunky. But soon it's not just errands that Peter must oversee.

High in the Hollywood Hills, where reality and fantasy come dangerously close together, Max is accused of the sole crime that will forever destroy his most valuable asset - his reputation. It is Peter's job to deter the all too real police detectives who are after Max. And, if that's not enough, Peter is neck-deep in a secret relationship with the daughter of Max's worst enemy. The situation is primed to careen out of control.