Quackser Fortune (Gene Wilder) is a carefree fertilizer merchant in Dublin. Something of a local "character," Quackser becomes the object of fascination for wealthy American visitor Zazel Pierce (Margot Kidder). At first, the radical differences in their stations in life make little difference to Quackser and Zazel, but before long she grows bored by his eccentricities. Humiliated by Zazel's rich friends at a fancy dress ball, Quackser retreats to his old vocation of following the horses to gather his "wares." When his cousin in the Bronx passes away and leaves him a small inheritance, Quackser leaves Dublin, holding out hopes that now he will be an acceptable mate for Zazel.