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.
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.