Four-year-old Lucy lives in a very stressful world. Her mother is hardly around, the neighbor boy is depressed, and her babysitter would rather be anyplace else. Even Mr. Marmalade, her imaginary friend, is always too busy with other stuff to pay her any mind. His personal assistant pencils Lucy in as often as possible, but things just keep coming up. Things like his indulgent, destructive habits, and his inability to commit to anything other than himself. After her mother goes out one night, her relationship with Mr. Marmalade takes a curious turn.