Straight man

the long version

"Colby Winn, a repressed college professor, breaks out of his fastidious lifestyle when he impulsively picks up hitchhiker Ann Lee, an itinerant actress. As this mismatched love affair progresses, Colby descends into a tumultuous relationship which leaves him both vulnerable and violent. Past exposure to domestic abuse has Colby behaving in a manner that shocks even himself. An intensity unfolds surprising Colby's colleagues as he attempts to obtain his elusive dreams (or are they nightmares?)."--BOOK JACKET.