The story involves an American draft dodger and aspiring writer named Nero Finnigan (Jeff Bridges) who becomes involved with the notorious Mr. Go (James Mason), an oriental organized crime mastermind. They conspire to blackmail an Americam weapons scientist into providing secrets to Mr. Gos organization for resale to the highest bidder. Enter The Dolphin, an American CIA agent and James Joyce scholar, tasked with recovering the scientist and his work by whatever means necessary.