Kate and her brutish boyfriend Big Al sell handguns on the streets of New York. Shes smart, stylish, and self-confident, but all that leaves her when Al, in a jealous and self-indulgent rage, beats her. Three friends encourage her recovery Vic, a woman who would like to be Kates lover; Reilly, who runs with Al but also is attracted to Kate and repulsed by Als violence; and, Liz, the counselor assigned to Kate from a battered-womens program. Vic and Reilly talk about killing Al, Liz gives pep talks; Kate remains frightened. Will Als menace and Kates dependency hold sway?