[1] The plot involves Harry Plotnick, a small-time Jewish gangster[2] living in a now largely Hispanic and African American New York neighborhood, playing the numbers game after being released from prison.

[6][7][8] Harry Plotnick, a small-time Jewish mobster is released from a nine-month prison stint, his cold heart as mean and callous as ever.

During this time, a trip to a hospital emergency room leads to a (possibly erroneous) diagnosis of a dangerously-enlarged heart, which may soon fell him.

An unexpected subpoena compels Harry to testify before a state panel that is probing the New York gambling underworld.

He is maneuvered into admitting his ownership of the catering business, which had been publicly touted as belonging to the brother-in-law for reasons of community propriety.

Harry is soon approached by his younger daughter with a request for a 'really large' favor, and he begins to realize the humanity that has been gradually surfacing inside since his prison release.

He will also return to prison for a year for the arson he didn't commit, but he seems reconciled with the price of re-entering his community with his head held high.