A Shock to the System

Graham Marshall, a dedicated executive, is devastated after being passed over for a promotion in favor of his intolerable protégé, Bob Benham. This rejection is further compounded by the dismissal of his friend George Brewster, whose misfortunes directly led to Graham's lost opportunity.

At home, Graham's wife, Leslie, berates him for not achieving his professional ambitions. Her criticism strikes deeply, further bruising Graham's already damaged ego and casting a shadow over their relationship.

On the night of his disappointment, Graham waits alone at a subway platform when he becomes the target of a panhandler's verbal assault. In a moment of frustration, Graham reacts violently, pushing the man onto the tracks just before a train arrives.

Following the incident at the subway, Graham undergoes a shocking transformation as he plots revenge against those he feels have wronged him. He recalls a dangerous near-death experience involving electrical wiring, which inspires his sinister plans.

In a chilling climax to his dark plans, Graham decides to stage a freak accident for Leslie. Her unexpected death serves only to strengthen his resolve and propel him further into his web of revenge.

Graham meticulously rents a vehicle using George's corporate account and obtains powerful sedatives to execute his next plan. He schemingly drugs the drink of Stella Anderson, a coworker who harbors feelings for him, ensuring he has a solid alibi.

Meanwhile, Bob Benham unknowingly approaches a trap that Graham has cleverly set on his boat. The gas tank, rigged to explode, detonates violently, killing Bob without Graham’s direct involvement, marking another point of his dark triumph.

Following Bob's death, Graham is summoned by Mr. Jones, who finally offers Graham the promotion he once longed for. This moment brings Graham a disturbing sense of vindication, reinforcing his twisted sense of justice.

As Graham adjusts to his new role, he finds himself the target of an investigation led by Police Lieutenant Laker. Despite the lack of tangible evidence, Graham becomes increasingly paranoid about being implicated in the recent deaths.

Graham's world unravels further when he realizes his prized gold-plated lighter is missing. This sparked panic leads him on a tense journey to recover it, amidst growing suspicion from Stella about his peculiar behavior.

During a critical interrogation with Lt. Laker, Stella's concerns about Graham's nature lead her to retrieve the lighter from the rental company. She arranges a meeting at the subway station, the site of Graham's earlier crime, to confront him.

At the subway station, Graham and Stella have a tense confrontation filled with anxiety. Ultimately, she hands him his lighter, but the atmosphere is charged with an underlying threat of violence as their relationship hangs by a thread.

Feeling a moment of triumph, Graham exits the subway and brazenly lights a cigar using his retrieved lighter in front of Lt. Laker. His act of defiance seemingly quashes any remaining suspicion surrounding his involvement in the recent tragedies.

Unbeknownst to Graham, his former friend's despair leads George to overdose on the tranquilizers Graham had previously obtained. This tragic turn of fate could have implicating consequences for Graham, adding to the weight of his misdeeds.

As Graham plans to transfer Stella to Los Angeles to eliminate any threats, Mr. Jones unexpectedly refuses to relinquish his office. In a dark twist, a plane carrying Jones meets a catastrophic failure, leaving Graham to smirk at the consequences of his actions.