On the Right Track

Lester, a ten-year-old orphan, makes his home in a locker at Chicago Union Station. He is friendly with the station's staff and performers, though a station official dislikes his living there without a permit.

Sam, the pizzeria owner, ensures Lester is fed, while Robert, in charge of the station's health club, makes sure he is bathed. Jill Klein, the arcade repair technician, provides him with a history education and companionship.

Lester cares for Mary, the station's homeless bag lady, by giving her money. This small act shows his kindness toward others despite his own precarious life.

While at the arcade, Jill explains that she is more concerned about his well-being living in a locker. Lester fears leaving the station because he could be labeled a juvenile delinquent or runaway.

The shoeshine concessioner calls juvenile services to report an orphan living in the station and harming his business. Frank Biscardi is sent to investigate and begins looking into Lester's fate.

Frank is enthralled by Jill's beauty and flirts with her as he investigates. He asks her out, signaling the start of a complicated attraction.

After the concessioner identifies Lester, a chase erupts through the station as Frank and Jill pursue him. Lester tries to escape by naming the winners of a horse race, using it as a distraction.

Frank and Jill escort Lester outside, but a shootout between bandits and the police interrupts the moment. They take him to a decrepit shelter where he is left.

Jill and Frank go on a date, but she feels he isn't right for Lester. Frank, by contrast, begins to fall in love with Jill, complicating their professional relationship.

Meanwhile, Lester escapes from the shelter, seizing on a chance to live independently again. The escape marks a turning point as he proves his resilience and resourcefulness.

Realizing Lester's talent for picking winning horses, Frank decides to help him. He and Jill arrange to find Lester a place to stay and invite him to dinner at the station to discuss his future.

During the dinner, Frank and Jill's attraction deepens, but Jill leaves when she discovers Frank's sole interest is betting on horses. Frank convinces her that helping Lester is the best way to do good.

Frank bets on horses and, after taxes from the revenue agency, gambles with the mob and makes a million dollars. The mobsters begin to follow him, hoping to recover the winnings.

The mob follows Frank who hides the money in Lester's locker and places Lester in a briefcase. Lester finds the burden too heavy and chooses to return to the train station to live.

After Lester returns, the mayor's plan promises city funds only to be diverted to banks, and Lester refuses to help the mayor any longer. He goes back to shining shoes at the station. In the end, Frank and Jill decide to bring him home and start a family, giving him a real home.