Russ, an ex-marine struggling with adjusting to civilian life, finds an injured fighting dog
and resolves to rehabilitate the animal. Finding the dog’s injuries to be beyond his help
and in desperation, Russ seeks out the help of his neighbor, Marni, a widowed nurse.
After initial reservations, Marni decides to help Russ with the dog.
Unknown to Russ however, Bead, the dog’s former owner has every intention of
recovering his prize possession, while Marni’s sister Felice, has set her eye on Russ.
The play moves to a climax, as a battle is waged between the forces of
predation and the forces of mercy, laying bare the troubled histories of all the characters.