Connie is a very beautiful 15-year-old girl who lives with both her mother and father, and her sister, June, who she’s constantly compared to for being more responsible and attentive. While on summer break, Connie and her friend visit a diner popular amongst the older kids in her town where while on date, she is cat-called by a stranger in a gold convertible. Sometime later, Connie’s family go to a weekend barbecue, leaving Connie home by herself.
While alone, Connie’s music is interrupted by a honking car down stairs. Connie steps outside to find two strangers, Arnold Friend and his reserved accessory, Ellie, in a “convertible jalopy painted gold” who, upon closer inspection, look to be in their 30s, possibly older. Unsure of and unsettled by Arnold after he alleges to know her family and their whereabouts, Connie threatens to call her father and the police. Arnold dismisses these threats, claiming that he and Connie are lovers, further insisting they take a ride. Connie anxiously dials the police. Arnold tells Connie that he could easily break down her kitchen door to get to her and that he would hurt her family is she refused to come out to him. Finally overcome and exhausted by Arnold’s menacing, Connie emerges from her home into Arnold’s preying arms.