Nineteen years old and on parole, all Doug Dooligan wants to do is get on with his life away from the influence of his best friend Floyd 'Pretty Boy' Davis. Floyd, a charming conman and petty thief, has other ideas. He thinks Doug's decision to go straight is a rejection of his Nyoongah lifestyle in favour of white fella values. Edith, Doug's white mother, reminds Doug that she is his people too. He is faced with the daunting tasks of reconciling the opposing expectations of two cultures, family and friends.