Norman Saylor, a young professor of sociology at Hempnell College, finds more than he bargained for when he goes through his wife Tansy's dresser drawer. Saylor is an expert on African American magic, though, of course, he doesn't believe in such things in the slightest, and he's shocked to discover that Tansy has collected fingernail parings, locks of hair, bits of dirt and other items that can be used in various magical ceremonies. Confronted by Saylor, Tansy admits that she and in fact all of the other university wives practice witchcraft in order to further both their husband's careers and their own standing in the community. Naturally, Saylor is outraged that such nonsense is going on and insists that his wife stop. As soon as she does, of course, her husband's career takes a serious turn for the worse.