Martel Gordone had been wandering aimlessly through the desert when he is finally picked up by an African-American woman driving a van dubbed the "Shaggin’ Wagon". The woman, Linda, who picks him up is actually a prostitute on her way to some clients. On the way to the diner where the two parties are to meet, Linda and Gordone (nicknamed "Too Sweet" because of his uncontrollable addiction to Mr. Goodbar) spark an interest in each other, but Linda decides to wait until after she has finished with her clients, “You know, honey, it’s got to be business before pleasure, and I’m sure you’re a real pleasure.”<ref name=Penitentiary>Kennedy, Isaac, Dir. ''Penitentiary.'' Dir. Jamaa Fanaka." Perf. Isaac , Kennedy, and Pollard, Thommy. 1979, Film.</ref> They reach the diner and Linda meets with her clients, but when Gordone does not like how she is being treated, he decides to confront the two for their ungentlemanly behavior. The confrontation does not bode well for Gordone, for after a little tussling he is knocked out and falls to the ground. He wakes up to find that he has been charged for the murder of one of the bikers whom he had confronted earlier.
Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone earned his parole from jail by winning a prison boxing tournament. All Too Sweet wants to do is start a peaceful life, but a condition of his release is that he work for a boxing promoter. Too Sweet has no interest in boxing and wants to live with his sister and her husband who support his desire to start over. However, when an old enemy from prison, Half Dead, escapes and kills his girlfriend, Too Sweet changes his plans and returns to the ring.