During the chaotic Warlord Era, an eccentric soldier has a sudden stroke of luck and is promoted seven ranks to Marshal. He, along with his three silly friends, do all sorts of bizarre things. Meanwhile, externally, three wild warlords are eyeing him like a tiger. Internally, he doesn't know whether any of his three wives are spies. Ultimately, a battle for hegemony unfolds, with shells flying and dilemmas between friends.

Paul and Georgia are lovers, soul mates...and partners in crime. But when this duplicitous duo tries to dupe the wrong man, they are ensnared in a world more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. Seduced into working for him on dangerous jobs beyond their small-time capability, Paul and Georgia suddenly have everything they've ever wanted...and even more to lose.

This is an adaptation of an essay by New York Times Best Selling essayist David Sedaris. It follows his attempts to teach creative writing at an art institute.