Wheeler (John King III) is a sociopathic career thug who has been summoned to a small town to abduct a retired oil millionaire. He and a local yokel named Slick (Tommy Lamey) are simply to hold William Phillips (Herschell Mays) in a remote cabin for 48 hours until the ransom is delivered, but Wheeler has a nasty violent streak, and will kill at the slightest provocation. He experiences tormented flashbacks to a traumatic childhood event concerning his prostitute mother, and becomes unglued when crossed. Wheeler cons his way into the good graces of the local sheriff (Jack Collins), who regards him as a harmless, friendly drifter, even after discovering Phillips' broken glasses discarded in a field. While Wheeler ventures into town to score some grass at a local pool hall, Phillips escapes into the woods, with Slick in hot, but clumsy, pursuit. Meanwhile, the millionaire's daughter (Candy Dee) is at the family home, preparing for a party to announce her engagement to the very man who has arranged this kidnapping. Wheeler arrives, talks his way in, and is compelled to kill. Will the sheriff put all the pieces together in time to save the town from this bloodthirsty Texan?