Hitchhiker Mort Click murders Dennis Kesdekian, a salesman from whom he accepted a ride. Click then stabs to death with a scissors prostitute Erina Devore. Gary, Herbie, and Keith, three psychopaths recently escaped from a mental hospital, behead a landlord and kill two lovers. In a roadhouse diner, cigar-smoking Linda poisons Herbie's coffee, and Keith is killed by Joe Saxon, an unsuccessful actor who has trailed his wife, Liz, to the country. Mort Click and Gary are finally tracked down and apprehended.