Edgar and Annie are tired of living by the rules. Hard work has earned them only debt and loneliness. They want wealth -- no matter what the risk. Fearful but determined, they plan a clever, hideously dangerous robbery. The target: a thoroughbred race track on Sweepstakes Day. The goal: steal every dollar from the cash room and the mutual windows -- plus one million dollars that is on display as a promotional gimmick. The attempt draws into their lives many unexpected, sharply delineated characters, including an arsonist, a psychopathic killer, a cancer-stricken gambler on his last fling, and a wise young track detective.