The Age of Consent

Mike and Betty, New York college sweethearts, are eager to quit college and move to California for a fresh start. They discuss marriage and a future together, seeking permission from Mike’s mentor and Betty. The plan is swiftly discouraged, and Mike, unsettled, heads to a local diner to clear his head.

Dora, a waitress with a crush on Mike, invites him to walk her home after her late shift. Once at her house she offers liquor and turns up the music. The pair kiss and end up sleeping together, only to wake to Dora asking if he’s sorry, before trouble erupts with her father entering.

After the drunken encounter, Dora’s father has Mike arrested for corrupting the morals of a minor. The incident throws Mike into legal jeopardy and strains all relationships involved. Matthews begins working to secure his client’s release.

Professor Matthews arranges Mike’s bail, and they meet with Dora's father and Mr. Swales in the District Attorney’s office. The DA presents two choices: marry Dora to avoid charges or face the legal consequences. Mike agrees to the marriage as a way to resolve the situation.

The plan is set for Mike to marry Dora that night and depart for California. This forces a difficult choice for Mike, who still cares for Betty. Betty is informed and reacts with distress, signaling the stakes of everyone’s decision.

Mike visits Betty, explaining that he must marry Dora to do the right thing. Betty pleads for a different path or a quick run away, but the situation leaves her heartbroken. Duke Galloway tries to lift her spirits as the night wears on.

Mike goes to Dora’s house where Dora dresses in a white suit, ready to leave with him immediately. Professor Matthews continues to defend Mike, while the preacher is supposedly on the way. The tension builds as the ceremony seems imminent.

Before the preacher arrives, Matthews is summoned to the hospital and takes Mike with him. On the way they learn Duke has been in a bad car accident and Betty is badly injured. Duke dies from his injuries at the hospital.

At the hospital, Dora sees Mike with Betty and refuses to marry him, realizing how deeply he loves Betty. Her conviction softens her stance as the human costs of the arrangement become clear. This marks a turning point for all involved.

In the aftermath, Mike and Betty’s love is acknowledged and their fate shifts toward a future together. The plan with Dora collapses, and the figures in their lives must accept the change. The film concludes with the possibility of a new start together.

The last scene shows Mike and Betty now married and on a train to California, signaling that they have chosen a life together despite the turmoil. Their relationship endures the earlier moral conflicts, and they head toward a hopeful future.