J.J. is a hustler with a conscience. A small-time numbers runner who dabbles in prostitution, J.J. wants nothing to do with the drug trade, which he holds responsible for the continuing slavery of the Black man. After a violent confrontation with mobster Tony Burton leaves a friend dead, J.J. becomes the ally of local numbers king Nate Williams, who teaches him how to dismantle Burton’s drug operation brick by brick. But Burton’s got a secret weapon: Det. Joe Sterling, a crooked cop who’s got dirt on all the syndicates, is now Burton’s lap dog. J.J. is in for the fight of his life…and for his life.