The Hot Spot

Harry Madox, a drifter, takes a job as a used car salesman at a dealership in a small Texas town. He adjusts to the hot summer environment and begins observing his new surroundings and colleagues.

Harry notices Gloria Harper, a young woman working at the dealership’s loan office. He becomes intrigued by her demure demeanor, her legs, and her shoes adorned with wooden fruit motifs, initiating a romantic interest.

Dolly Harshaw, wife of the dealership's owner, shamelessly flirts with Harry, claiming she owns shoes identical to Gloria's. Their flirtation leads to a passionate and illicit affair between Harry and Dolly.

Harry learns that the local bank employees are volunteer firemen and that the security cameras are non-functional. He meticulously plans to set a fire elsewhere to draw the firemen away and rob the bank during the chaos.

Harry sets a fire across the street from the bank, luring the volunteers away. During the chaos, he steals money but feels compelled to enter the burning building to save a trapped homeless man, risking his own life.

Despite his efforts, Harry is suspected of being the bank robber and is arrested by the sheriff. He discovers that the stolen money is worthless due to the serial numbers being recorded, complicating his situation.

Dolly provides Harry with an alibi but demands he kill her husband to stay silent. When Harry refuses, she threatens to expose him. Eventually, Dolly kills her weak-hearted husband during a vigorous sexual encounter.

Harry learns that Gloria is being blackmailed by Frank Sutton over nude photographs. He confronts Sutton, leading to a fight where Harry severely beats him but fails to stop the blackmail, as Sutton continues to threaten Gloria.

Harry visits Sutton and finds him having sex with a woman wearing similar wooden fruit shoes. A fight ensues, resulting in Harry killing Sutton to protect Gloria, and he covers his tracks by planting stolen money and disposing of the shoes.

Harry fabricates evidence implicating Sutton in the bank robbery by planting money with matching serial numbers. He reports Sutton's sudden cash purchase of a car, leading police to believe Sutton was the robber, and he receives a reward.

Harry visits the Harshaw house and notices Gloria wearing her signature wooden fruit shoes, which raises suspicions. He also notices a scar on Dolly, leading him to realize it was her and not Gloria who was involved with Sutton.

Dolly reveals a certified letter she has, which implicates Harry in the bank robbery, Sutton's death, and Gloria's embezzlement. She tells Gloria she will keep her job if she pays back stolen funds, breaking Harry's trust.

Feeling betrayed and manipulated, Gloria leaves Harry after realizing she has been deceived. Her departure signifies the collapse of their relationship, leaving Harry alone to confront his actions.

Enraged and hopeless, Harry attempts to strangle Dolly but cannot go through with it. He accepts his fate, resigns himself to life with Dolly, and leaves town with her, ending his tumultuous journey.