In New York City of the early 1970s, the scene is set amidst a gritty backdrop of desperation; two junkies find themselves in dire need of cash. They stand in the shadow of a run-down building, poised to pounce on their next target. Enter Priest, portrayed by Ron O'Neal, a slender, light-skinned Black man characterized by his stylish relaxed hair and handle-bar mustache. After an intimate moment with his girlfriend, played by Polly Niles, he explains that he has to step out for a "pickup."
Dressed sharply in a designer fedora and a sophisticated long coat, Priest hops into his sleek Cadillac Eldorado—its dark allure and customized features complement his look as he cruises the streets. Little does he know, the junkies await him, ready to pounce. As he enters the building, a violent altercation erupts, culminating in a foot chase with the soundtrack of Curtis Mayfield's electrifying "Junkie Chase."
Back at his place, Priest confronts Fat Freddie, acted by Charles McGregor, a struggling dealer who owes him money. Tensions rise as Priest threatens to exploit Freddie's young wife if the debt isn't settled. Freddie's reluctance to engage in violence highlights the stakes at hand. Meanwhile, Eddie, Priest’s partner played by Carl Lee, is caught up in a world of gambling, oblivious to the gravity of Priest's mission to exit the cocaine trade.
As Freddie fumbles to retrieve money, a sequence of events spirals out of control, painting a grim picture of the drug trade. At Scatter's nightclub, where the music pulses and the atmosphere crackles with energy, Priest devises a scheme to purchase thirty keys of coke, promising that it will lead them to financial freedom. He's convinced that if they can secure this deal, they can finally escape the cycle of addiction and violence.
But the world of drugs is unforgiving. When Freddie's violent outburst leads to dire consequences, it further complicates Priest's plans and deepens his resolve. He confides in his girlfriend, Georgia, played by Sheila Frazier, expressing his aspiration to break free from this dangerous life. However, the lure of the drug empire proves to be a treacherous path.
Just as scattered hints of hope appear, chaos ensues as law enforcement bears down upon Priest. They know about the impending deal and seek to exploit him for protection and profit. In a harrowing encounter with a crime boss, he boldly refuses to be controlled, defiantly asserting his independence even as the stakes rise.
As the narrative unfolds, we see close-ups of the cocaine dealing process—deception, risk, and inevitable violence linger at every corner. Priest, caught between loyalty to Eddie and his longing for freedom, must navigate through a web of deceit.
Ultimately, the climax reveals his antagonistic relationship with authority figures as he confronts the legacy of those who came before him and what it means to truly escape. The tension mounts with the realization that every move he makes may have deadly consequences. As the camera pans toward the horizon over New York City, Priest's journey culminates in both triumph and tragedy, forever marking his place in this stark reality.
