Lost in America

David Howard, working at an advertising agency, faces disappointment when he does not receive the anticipated promotion. This frustration leads to an explosive confrontation with his boss, which ultimately results in David's dismissal from his job.

Feeling discontent with their mundane lives, David convinces Linda to leave her job at a department store. This decision marks the start of their quest for a new adventure free from the constraints of their bourgeois existence.

The Howards make a bold decision to sell their house and liquidate their assets. With a substantial sum of $145,000 in hand, they are determined to escape conventional society and embark on a journey.

David and Linda set off on a cross-country road trip in a Winnebago, seeking liberation from their former lives. Inspired by the spirit of 'Easy Rider', they are excited for the adventures that await them.

While stopping at the Desert Inn Casino in Las Vegas, Linda becomes enamored with the roulette tables. Unfortunately, she loses all their savings, devastating their financial plans for the journey.

In a desperate attempt to recover their lost savings, David tries to charm the casino manager into returning their money. His efforts for a promotional stunt, however, prove fruitless and only add to their miseries.

As the couple's situation deteriorates, they reach Hoover Dam, where Linda decides to hitchhike without consulting David. This impulsive choice leads to chaos, resulting in David getting a black eye from an unfriendly driver.

While driving on a rural road, David and Linda are pulled over by a motorcycle cop for speeding at 83 mph. They cleverly avoid a fine by referencing both 'Easy Rider' and 'The Terminator', showcasing their desperation to be free-spirited.

They arrive in Safford, Arizona, where David's job search fails miserably. After an unsuccessful application for a delivery position at a local pharmacy, he turns to an employment agency, only to find out that high-paying jobs are scarce.

In a twist of fate, David ends up as a crossing guard, facing ridicule from local children. Meanwhile, Linda is forced to work under a teenager as an assistant manager at a Der Wienerschnitzel, highlighting their fall from grace.

Only days into what was supposed to be a liberating journey, the couple finds themselves living in a trailer park, nearly broke and stuck in dead-end jobs. This reality prompts them to reconsider the choices they made.

Concluding that their previous lifestyle may have been more manageable, David and Linda decide to return to New York City. Their aspirations of finding freedom have turned into a longing for their former stability and comfort.

Upon their return, David successfully regains his job at the advertising agency. However, he is faced with a 31% salary reduction, although he is pleased to have improved medical benefits.

In an unexpected twist of fate, David and Linda learn that they are expecting their first child. This news brings them joy and prompts them to embrace a semblance of their former lives once again.