Choreographing and picking dancers for his current show whilst editing his feature film about a standup comedian is getting to Joe Gideon. Without the chemical substances, he would not have the energy to keep up with his girlfriend, his exwife, and his special dancing daughter. They attempt to bring him back from the brink, but its too late for his exhausted body and stressravaged heart. He chainsmokes, uses drugs, sleeps with his dancers and overworks himself into openheart surgery. Scenes from his past life start to encroach on the present and he becomes increasingly aware of his mortality.