Frederick J. Frenger Jr., better known as "Junior," is a violent sociopath and self-proclaimed thief who avidly boasts about "stealing from other thieves." Having recently finished his time in a California prison, Junior embarks on a new chapter of his life in Miami. However, trouble finds him almost immediately when he steals luggage at the airport, accidentally resulting in the death of a Hare Krishna by breaking his index finger.
Upon checking into a hotel, Junior becomes romantically involved with Susie Waggoner, a clueless part-time prostitute who is also a community college student. Their relationship blossoms as Susie remains blissfully unaware of Junior's dark past and illegal activities, holding onto dreams of a fairytale life together.
In a moment of introspection during one of their routine domestic evenings, Susie enjoys a leisurely bath while penning a haiku. Meanwhile, Junior decides to break into a neighboring apartment, where he pilfers an IMI Desert Eagle handgun, a coin collection, and even some pork chops. As he engages in this criminal act, he expresses his own haiku: > "Breaking entering. The dark and lonely places. Finding a big gun."
Soon after, an investigation into the Hare Krishna murder leads the seasoned policeman, Sgt. Hoke Moseley, to their residence. In an intriguing turn of events, he shares a home-cooked meal with the couple, subtly suggesting that he might be onto Junior's criminal inclinations. He expresses interest in having Junior come to the station for a lineup. Fearing for his freedom, Junior retaliates the very next day by breaking into Moseley's house, where he violently assaults him and steals his gun, badge, and dentures, using the stolen badge to impersonate a police officer.
Junior's audacity knows no bounds as he makes a mockery of law enforcement, breaking up robberies and pocketing the loot for himself while demanding bribes in return. During a chaotic moment at a convenience store, Junior intervenes in an armed robbery, attempting to lecture the gunman on the perils of crime. However, as fate would have it, the criminal runs him over with a truck, leaving Junior to lament to Susie that perhaps his attempts at living a "straight life" have left him too soft.
As investigations continue, Moseley tracks down Susie through utility accounts in her name. He pretends to run into her at the grocery store, sparking a conversation filled with recipe exchanges. After Susie lies about leaving Junior, Moseley delivers a shocking truth, revealing that Junior is a murderer and that the police are current on the hunt for him.
Back at their home, Susie, wanting to test Junior's honesty, ruins a pie by adding too much vinegar. To her dismay, Junior compliments the disastrous dessert, despite his expression giving away his true feelings. Shortly after, Junior presses Susie to drive him around town on errands, leading them to a pawn shop where he executes a robbery. In a frenzied encounter, he kills the pawnbroker's bodyguard and suffers severe injuries when she retaliates, chopping off several of Junior's fingers.
Now severely hurt, Junior hobbles back to the car, only for Susie to drive off in horror after realizing the extent of his crimes. In a dramatic police showdown, Moseley confronts Junior at their house, fatally shooting him in self-defense. Junior delivers an ironic last quip: "Susie's gonna get you, Sarge." When Susie arrives at the scene, Moseley questions her loyalty to Junior. She explains that, despite his flaws, he treated her with kindness, ate every meal she prepared, and never laid a hand on her in violence.
