The hardcore nitty-gritty grubbiness of the lives of three junkies for the basis for this unsparing drama. In the story, Thomas Quinton Pennington (Tom Elliott), who comes from a good background, is trying to cut back on the dope he uses, but doesn't get any help from the junkies around him. One day he steals some dope from a dealer by conking him on the head, and hitchhikes out of town with his girlfriend. They get a ride with a sinister rural bully, who, when he attempts to get a little too friendly with the girl, winds up without Tom's girl and loses his truck to them in the bargain. The duo, traveling in their stolen truck, pick up another down-on-his luck type, and head off into the desert.