Dove (Laurence Harvey) is a drifter from Texas who sets out for New Orleans with striking fellow drifter Kitty (Jane Fonda) in tow. Upon arrival, he secures a job at a Mexican café owned by a kindhearted woman (Anne Baxter) who begins to have feelings for her newest employee. Unaffected by his employer's advances, Dove seeks out a past love, beautiful Hallie (Capucine), who's now working in a brothel.