Blue, a young gangster in 1920s Chicago, goes to the department store with his girl Birdie. The clerks identify him as someone who's recently become flush with cash. They sell him their fanciest clothes, aiming to capitalize on his financial naivete. Blue happily pays them in one-hundred dollar bills, saying that he's going to New York soon. After visiting a cafe, Blue gets a warning from his an acquaintance named Guido. Another crime organization, run by Mike Bova, is looking for them. Guido suggests that Blue lay low for a little while. Blue responds by saying that he is not afraid of Mike. The next day, Blue and an accomplice named Pascal ambush and kill one of Mike Bova's lieutenants. Later that night, Blue tells Birdie about how easy it was. They drink, celebrating their fortune and preparing to head to New York City the following day. Birdie drinks a little too much. Feeling sick, she lays down and falls asleep. While she sleeps, Blue gets hungry. He looks in the refrigerator for food but doesn't find anything, so he heads to the diner across the street, remarking on how quiet the street is. While there, he sees a suspicious man pass by the window and Blue draws his gun, but the man keeps walking. Blue orders food and talks to Wings, his old friend working at the counter. Wings doesn't recognize Blue in his new suit at first. Blue tells Wings about his luck, describing his plans to head to New York. The counterman listens, envious of the younger man. Being on parole, Wings no longer lives a life of crime, stuck instead behind the counter. Blue stays in the diner all night. In the morning, before he leaves, Wings warns him that Mike's men have been there and are looking for him. Blue asks if there are any alternate exits, but they realize that none of those would work. In addition, Wings is worried that he might get killed if he helps Blue. With this in mind, Blue decides to walk out the front door. He confidently strides across the street, hoping his luck will last long enough that he can make it to safety, but as he reaches the door, shots ring out, and Blue is killed in the street.