Joe Beckett, a misfit without feelings or beliefs, loses his job. The row he has is overheard by a customer, Richard Dyce. Dyce talks to Joe and learns more about his way of life. Soon after Joe falls out with his girlfriend, Ilsa, and is turned out of his digs. Dyce wants to inherit money from a wealthy aunt and he tries to bribe Joe to murder her. Joe laughs at him but then hears of his mother's death and is stunned. He feels he needs a shock to revive him. Accepting Dyce's offer, he goes to the aunt's house but changes his mind. In a struggle she falls and is accidentally killed. Joe returns to his digs and sees the police waiting for him. He is met by Ilsa and they are reconciled. He tells her he will return to her.