Lawyer Ralph Anderson arrives in Tula, a remote town in the desert, as a reluctant emissary of mob chief Victor Massonetti, who wants the airstrip cleared for his unofficial exit from the country. Ralph's arrival has a profound effect on his estranged father, the sheriff; his brother Tipppy, an alcoholic deputy; and his ex-sweetheart Linda, now married to Tippy. Tension builds as a small army of gangsters takes over the town. Then the situation abruptly changes.