Teresa "Terry" Doolittle, portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg, works at the First National Bank in Manhattan, New York, where she effortlessly connects with her colleagues, even if she struggles to embody the bank's corporate persona. Despite her charisma and competence, she faces continual reprimands from her stern boss, James Page.
Amidst the tense climate of the pre-Glasnost Cold War, Terry receives an unexpected message on her AC computer from a mysterious figure identifying himself as "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Unbeknownst to her, he is a British Intelligence agent hiding from the KGB in Eastern Europe. When tasked with deciphering a riddle to establish his password, Terry cleverly deduces it to be B-flat, inspired by the well-known song by The Rolling Stones. This connection leads Jack to instruct Terry to relay a peculiar message—"Dog's barking, can't fly without umbrella"—to the British Consulate's Department C. Although she feels ridiculous, she complies and visits consul minister Jeremy Talbot, who dismisses her claims.
Following this encounter, Terry becomes the target of surveillance. Peter Caen, a CIA agent portrayed by Stephen Collins, begins working alongside her under the alias Marty Phillips, plotting to keep an eye on her. Tension mounts when, after being instructed to retrieve a frying pan from Jack's apartment, Terry encounters escalating danger. A supposed computer technician shows up to fix her terminal but vanishes when she seeks verification, escalating her suspicion. When an attempted abduction unfolds, Terry heroically uses the frying pan to fend off her attacker.
Days later, an unexpected meeting occurs at the docks with one of Jack's contacts, Mark Van Meter, who realizes Terry's lack of experience in the intelligence realm and attempts to protect her. His sacrifice comes swiftly when he's shot by unseen adversaries, leaving Terry bewildered and subsequently imprisoned. While the police dismiss her frantic claims, Peter bails her out just in time.
Desperate for clarity amid the chaos, Terry reconnects with Jack through her computer, receiving guidance on infiltrating the British Consulate’s computer system. Disguised as an entertainer, she gains access but is thwarted by Talbot before she can relay critical information to Jack. A series of harrowing experiences with the KGB unfold, leading to a pulse-pounding escape during an interrogation attempt. The gift of several twists of fate and a few missteps results in anguish and betrayal.
Amid her efforts, Terry’s emotional appeal to Lady Sarah Billings for assistance meets resistance. However, when Sarah ultimately relents, offering a much-needed contact for Jack, it results in Terry being ensnared once again, revealing the contact as a KGB traitor—Jeremy Talbot. After enduring a near-torturous fate, the relentless Terry fights her way out, culminating in a fierce showdown with both the KGB and Talbot at the bank.
The climax leads to a true revelation of allies and foes, as Marty identifies himself and successfully relays the crucial contact information to Jack. The story closes with Jack, initially absent at their planned rendezvous, finally showing up in Terry’s office to express his gratitude, taking her out for a well-deserved dinner, sealing their burgeoning partnership in espionage and personal connection.
