Joe McBeth, a hard-working but unambitious individual, works at a hamburger stand alongside his wife Pat, who is more intelligent and ambitious. Pat concocts a plan to take over the restaurant from their boss Norm Duncan, convincing Joe to rob the safe and murder Norm to cover their tracks. Despite warnings from a stoner and a fortune teller, Joe goes through with the plan. Initially, things seem to go well, and after Norm's sons sell the restaurant to the McBeths, business flourishes. However, police detective McDuff suspects foul play and when fry cook Banko seems to know more than he's letting on, Joe takes charge of plotting and considers eliminating more obstacles.
Scotland, Pa.
A humble hamburger stand worker, Joe McBeth, is catapulted to success by his wife's cleverness and drive in a 1970s suburban Pennsylvania setting.