El Cortez plot
After five years in an insane asylum, Manny returns to Reno. He ends up in Hotel Cortez where he gets a job as an official. He befriends Popcorn, a mutilated prospector who seeks his help in convincing wealthy gambler Russo to invest in a gold mine. Manny, however, is having trouble getting rid of his past. He is hunted by Arnie, the vengeful cop who arrested him. Arnie asks for information from him about an alleged drug dealer named Jack on the premises. Meanwhile, friend Theda learns of the gold mine and tries to manipulate Manny in a direction favorable to her. Soon Manny finds herself in a maze of intrigue.