MikeLambert,unemployedminingengineer,arrivesinasmalltownwithabangwhenthebrakesfailonthetruckhe'sdriving.AftermeetingseductivePaulaattheLaPalomaCafe,hefindshimselfintroublewiththelaw.Onthebasisofafewburningglances,Paulapayshisfineandfindshimaroom,buthermotivesarenotwhattheyseem.MikelucksintoajobwithminerJeffCunningham,butagainsthiswillhe'sdrawneverdeeperintoPaula'sschemes