Paula Nelson travels to Atlantic City in the hopes of reuniting with her lover, Richard Politzer, but instead she discovers that he has passed away. She then makes the decision to look into Richard's passing. Within the confines of her hotel room, she comes face to face with Typhus, whom she ultimately knocks unconscious. After some time had passed, his dead body was discovered in the flat of a writer named David Goodis. Paula is placed under detention and questioned by authorities. After that point, she has frequent interactions with criminals, particularly gang members.