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