Robbie, a San Francisco detective, is an unlikely friend of former wrestler Vic Primeval. Vic tells him he's in love with an exotic dancer, Farrel White, at his club, and invites him to one of her shows. There, a man named Sal, sporting the attires and inflections of a Jersey mobster, shows up demanding Farrel pay him back. He leaves after Vic threatens to throw him out.

Vic tells Robbie that Farrel borrowed money from Sal to pay for her car accident and her daughter's cancer treatment, but Robbie is suspicious of the story and follows her home. He discovers Sal and Farrel actually live together and appear to be accomplices.

Days later, the owner of the nightclub and nephew to a powerful mafia leader, is found dead, with money stolen from the safe. Robbie calls Vic, who confesses to the murder only after insisting Farrel needed the money. He is shot by the mob afterwards.

Robbie pays Farrel's dad a visit. He's an old man living in a trailer of deplorable conditions. He tells Robbie that Sal and Farrel are siblings looking to make it big in Hollywood, but when he hears about the deaths they've caused, he offers what little money he has as retribution. Robbie is touched.