Reveling in his recent success, celebrated African-American playwright Andrew Sterling purchases a vacation home on an exclusive, seemingly liberal resort island in New England. His first night in the house, Andrew unpacks his stereo and settles down to read a magazine. While walking their dog, white neighbors Phil and Judy Gillman see Andrew inside and assume he is a burglar. When Chief of Police Cecil Tolliver arrives, Andrew is startled by the sound of his car alarm and emerges from the house, prompting one of the junior officers to open fire. Andrew runs back into the foyer and answers a telephone call from Tolliver, who believes he is speaking to the original homeowner and warns of an armed intruder. However, Tolliver quickly realizes his mistake and retreats in embarrassment. Determined to keep the incident from hurting his upcoming bid for County Commissioner, the police chief brokers a deal with a petty career criminal named Amos Odell. In exchange for his freedom, Amos agrees to pose as a robber while Tolliver stages Andrew’s rescue. Inside the house, Amos takes Andrew hostage while Tolliver informs the press of his intent to resolve the fabricated situation. In the interviews, however, Tolliver betrays his promise to keep Amos’s identity anonymous. When Tolliver enters through the back door, Amos retaliates by knocking him unconscious, handcuffing himself to Andrew, and sneaking out of the house. As reporters swarm the island, Amos and Andrew seek refuge inside the Gillman home and trade stories about their vastly different upbringings. When the Gillmans return, Amos holds them at gunpoint. Meanwhile, Tolliver revives and assumes Amos is hiding somewhere inside the house. Communicating via remote radio, Amos demands police give him $1 million and provide a getaway helicopter. While officers debate what to do, Amos finds a confiscated videotape of a candid interview with Phil and Judy Gillman moments after the supposed break-in. Insulted by their blatant racism, Andrew expresses disappointment in the community and “white America,” but Amos points out the hypocrisy of Andrew’s fervent attempts to assimilate into upper class white society. After ordering a pizza, Amos realizes the police are still at Andrew’s house, where a group of protesters led by the fanatical Reverend Fenton Brunch demand the writer’s release. A scuffle ensues, and Andrew’s house is burned to the ground. Meanwhile, Amos gives the interview tape to the pizza delivery girl, and instructs her to pass it on to the press. He finds the Gillmans’ car keys and urges Andrew to join him, claiming they are “partners in crime.” However, Andrew refuses to leave, and the two men fight on the front lawn. Andrew eventually gains the upper hand and attempts to flee, but encounters two bloodhounds belonging to a neighboring farmer. Amos rescues him in the Gillmans’ car, and they agree to sic the dogs on Tolliver. In the morning, Andrew meets his wife at the island ferry port, and Amos leaves to begin his new life on the lam. Although he has always dreamed of going to Canada, Amos unknowingly turns the wrong direction on the highway and begins driving south.