Recently retired university professor, Lewis Brick, receives a “violation” notice from the HOA. He is instructed that one car must be parked in his garage, something he's not done for over twenty years because he converted his garage into a painting studio. His question is “why now?” If he complies and alters his studio to accommodate one of his cars, it will wreck the space and no longer function as an art studio. He tells his wife, Annette, “It's either a garage or a studio, it can't be both.”

HOA Board members threaten Brick with fines and possible legal action if he fails to comply, which sets off a rancorous debate at two appointed meetings. Brick asks a lawyer friend if there's a solution to keep the HOA from coming after him. His reply: “don't live where your home is regulated by an HOA.”

In the end, Lewis Brick finds a solution that no one expected, least of all himself.