Bells Solace is the story of William Bell, who decides to stop communicating directly with other people. Instead, he responds with quotes from imaginary characters in his mind. William lives in a small town with his mother and father. Williams mother, Mona Bell, meets Coretta Cortly, a wealthy society woman, at a charity event, where she explains her sons problem. Coretta doesnt think of this as a problem, but as a clever art form. Coretta meets William, after requesting an introduction, and finds the genius companion she has been longing for. She introduces him to all her fashionable and wealthy friends, and under her guidance, becomes a cult celebrity. Barbara (Babs) Collwood, daughter of famous fashion designer, Charles Collwood, thinks success comes from being seen with all the right people, and William Bell is her new target. After pushing herself on him at one of Corettas parties, she seduces him and an affair begins. William falls in love with disastrous results.