In 1932, set against the rugged backdrop of Texas, Wilma McClatchie boldly transitions from being a heartbroken lover to a tenacious entrepreneur. Seizing the opportunity to take charge of her deceased boyfriend's bootlegging operation, she embarks on a treacherous path alongside her two daughters, Polly and Billie Jean. As they traverse their delivery route, the authorities soon catch wind of their activities. After relinquishing their illegal profits and Wilma's treasured memento — a bitter reminder of her past love — they cleverly negotiate their passage to continue their notorious ventures.
Wilma's audacious next step leads her to a bank, where she tries to cash a counterfeit check. However, the scene quickly spirals into chaos as Fred Diller, a shrewd and violent outlaw, and his gang execute a daring heist. In the ensuing bedlam, Wilma and her daughters manage to snag a few money bags from behind the counter and flee the scene, but not without Diller commandeering their getaway vehicle, leaving them vulnerable to his whims.
As they contemplate their next strategy, an unexpected bond forms between Wilma and Diller, growing into a passionate affair. Their collaboration proves beneficial as they embark on a series of increasingly profitable scams, with each con yielding greater rewards. During one such escapade, Wilma meets William J. Baxter, a charming yet deceitful gambler, who becomes ensnared in their criminal escapades and develops romantic feelings for Wilma.
With stakes rising ever higher, their gang’s audacity leads them to kidnap a wealthy tycoon’s daughter, seeking a hefty ransom. Yet, their reckless actions don't escape the notice of vigilant federal agents, who have been monitoring their exploits, joined by local law enforcement.
In a dramatic series of events, Baxter is captured, while Wilma, Polly, and Billie Jean make a bold getaway with a suitcase brimming with their ill-gotten gains. Diller, ever the loyal companion, covers their escape using his Tommy gun, tragically ending the life of the injured Baxter, who had been secretly working as an informant for the law.
As Wilma’s bloodied arm dangles perilously outside their speeding car, the trio disappears into the sun-baked Texas terrain, their destinies forever intertwined in this tumultuous tale of crime and survival.
