Though set amidst the punk scene of Rome this is essentially an Italian western. The main players are the explosive Zago, who has just been released from prison, his brother Francesco, an impoverished sheep herder living on the outskirts of Rome and Zago's lover Chiara. Zago wants to start afresh, but cannot do so without cash. Rather than getting a regular job he decides to rob a local loan shark who has a lonely office in a junk yard. His brother and girl attempt to dissuade him but to no avail. They accompany him and are appalled when he icily shoots the shark. A young witness manages to call the cops before Zago finds her. A tense stand-off results with gambling-addicted police inspector Tiresia attempting to manipulate the dangerous situation from the outside.