In the midst of a frigid winter at the Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, two seasoned petty officers, Signalman William "Badass" Buddusky and Gunner's Mate First Class "Mule" Mulhall, find themselves tasked with escorting a dishonorably discharged seaman, Lawrence M. Meadows, to the Portsmouth Military Prison. Lawrence is set to serve an eight-year sentence not for a violent crime, but for allegedly robbing just forty dollars from a donation box for a charity favored by the commander’s wife—a rather shocking indictment that leaves the officers puzzled.
Despite their reservations, the chief praises them for receiving a relatively good detail, which provides them a week to conduct their mission, warning them that failing would jeopardize their careers. Initially lacking enthusiasm, particularly Mule, Badass nonetheless adopts an unconventional plan: to expedite Meadows' delivery to the prison and enjoy the remaining days on their own terms.
Upon meeting the timid and frightened eighteen-year-old Meadows, the officers are surprised to find that their charge is far from a criminal mastermind; he is simply a boy who had fled to the Navy to escape the dire straits of life. On the bus ride, they decide to remove his handcuffs, a small act of goodwill that allows them to bond. As their journey unfolds, they quickly discover the young man's poor choices lead to a series of both humorous and empathetic encounters.
When a simple candy bar turns into a small crisis, revealing Meadows’ compulsive tendencies, Badass and Mule do their best to reassure him while grappling with their own frustrations. At a diner, Badass's sense of justice drives him to confront a bartender over serving Meadows, who is underage. This reckless act of camaraderie sees them straying from their original mission, resulting in missed trains and a night at a hotel that only deepens their bond with Meadows.
As they journey through the city, they introduce him to a myriad of new experiences—from flavorful Italian sausages and refreshing beers to the oddities of the nightlife, all the while hearing Meadows’ confessions about his fears and dreams. The trio's misadventures escalate when they attend a gathering of American Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists, where Meadows, inspired by the chanting, expresses a desire for change in his life.
The stakes rise as Badass and Mule realize they want to ensure Meadows has a taste of freedom and life before being confined. Their journey culminates in a visit to a brothel, where they wish to grant him a final unforgettable experience. The day winds down with a poignant picnic of sorts in the snow as Meadows finds joy in simple pleasures, like chanting and roasting hot dogs.
However, as their time winds down, Meadows makes an emotional realization about the burden of his impending sentence. In a desperate attempt to escape, he uses semaphore to say goodbye, leading Badass and Mule on a frantic chase. Their refreshing experience turns bittersweet as they finally deliver him to the prison, facing disapproval from the Marines who suspect they mistreated him.
Even as Meadows is taken away behind the formidable prison doors, the tension between the officers and the military establishment underscores the inherent tragedy within the narrative—a tale not just of duty, but of profound empathy, fleeting freedom, and the haunting nature of a life determined by fate. Now, as they head back to their military life, both Badass and Mule are left to ponder whether the Navy, which has been so good to them, can truly erase the haunting weight of their decisions and the lives they touch.
