 Charles Gresham is an unemployed actor in need of money. He learns that a producer, Wayne Campbell, is involved in a new play. When Campbell does not give him a part, Gresham blackmails him. Campbell gives him money and even a part in the play as a blackmailer. In order to get the part, Campbell tells Gresham that he must audition for an important backer named Nick Roper. Gresham goes to Roper and delivers his lines. He is shot dead. Roper was a gangster who had nothing to do with the play and thought Gresham was trying to blackmail him.