Police officer Joe Bash has endured the night tour for more than nine months, in the 33rd Precinct of the N.Y.P.D., and he complains of a vitamin deficiency for lack of sunlight. With tonight's foot patrol he is assigned a new partner, eager rookie Willie Smith, whom he soon must extricate from a tenement building filled with angry New Yorkers.
Joe is faced with a test of conscience when an old woman dies alone in her dirty, packrat apartment, and he is the one who discovers her fortune, a paper bag filled with bills totaling 60,000 dollars.
Joe refuses a Sunday dinner invitation from Willie, his partner. Then the officers encounter a problem with Abe Feinbaum, who orders a meal at a midnight eatery in NYC but cannot pay for it, and cannot remember where he lives.
Officer Smith recognizes Joe's date as a hooker. Also, the two policemen are caught in a sting by the precinct's Integrity Control Officer.
Police Captain Charles Taylor, 20 years ago, was the beat partner of Joe Bash. On his way to the top he took advantage of a lot of people, starting with Joe. Now on the eve of Taylor's promotion to Inspector, he insists that Joe deliver a few words to a banquet, about their early days on the force. Then Joe realizes he has the opportunity to trash the Captain's reputation in front of a live audience.
Lorna the hooker presents Joe with an ultimatum. Joe may continue to have sex with her, but he must stop paying for it.