Francis Majcinek, known as Frankie Machine due to his exceptional skills in dealing cards, returns home from World War II with a wound that becomes pivotal in his life. During his recovery in the hospital, he's introduced to morphine for pain management, inadvertently sparking an addiction. Upon his discharge, Frankie battles both his dependency and a complex, troubled marriage.

The Burden of Marriage

Frankie's marriage to Sophie, rooted in deception, is fraught with problems from the start. During their courtship, Sophie misled Frankie into believing she was pregnant to secure his commitment. Overwhelmed by guilt, nineteen-year-old Frankie married her. The situation worsens after Frankie’s negligence causes an accident, leaving Sophie paralyzed, though doctors find no physical justification for her condition.

Trapped in a Loveless Union

Bound by guilt, Frankie remains in a relationship devoid of love, trapped in a cycle of despair. To make ends meet and fund his addiction, he deals cards at Zero Schwiefka’s club, where he once shone as a pre-war standout. His once-vibrant life now reduced to mere survival, Frankie is caught in a daily struggle against his dependence.

Friendships and Loyalty

Sparrow Saltskin, who brings gamblers to Frankie at the card table, admires his skill and eagerly awaited his return from the war. Unaware of Frankie’s addiction, Sparrow stands by him, oblivious to the "monkey on his back" that haunts his friend. Frankie’s world is further complicated by his entanglements with others in his community.

Feeding the Addiction

Under Nifty Louie Fomorowsky's influence, Frankie spirals deeper into addiction. Nifty Louie manipulates Frankie, introducing him to a range of narcotics beyond morphine. Frankie's deepening frustration and guilt concerning his marriage make him easy prey for Louie's schemes, ensuring Frankie's dependency thrives.

Life in the Neighborhood

Frankie's life intertwines with neighbors like Stash Koskoska and his young, alluring wife, Violet. Stash works tirelessly in an icehouse, oblivious to Violet's affair with Sparrow, whom she seduces with food and charm. Meanwhile, Violet extends her companionship to Sophie, taking her on small outings and doing household chores.

The Underworld of Addiction

The neighborhood’s seedy underbelly has its hubs, like the Tug and Maul bar, a nexus for an eclectic mix of locals. Across the street, the Safari club serves as Nifty Louie’s domain, where he dispenses drugs to his clientele, cunningly adjusting doses to keep them dependent. It's in these places that Frankie’s struggles and entanglements deepen.

A New Connection

Amidst his turbulent life, Frankie finds a new connection with Molly Novotny, originally the girlfriend of Drunkie John from the Tug and Maul. After John discards her, Frankie fills the gap, and they develop a relationship. Despite this, Frankie needs increasing amounts of drugs to maintain his composure as a dealer.

Complicated Relationships

The love triangle involving Sparrow, Stash, and Violet becomes more intricate as time passes. Sparrow’s frequent brushes with the law add to the chaos, with his time split between incarceration and freedom. Tensions heighten when Frankie accuses Nifty Louie of cheating during a card game, a claim that deepens their animosity.

A Fatal Confrontation

The animosity between Frankie and Louie reaches a climax in a back alley, where, desperate for a fix, Frankie violently strikes Louie as he bends to retrieve a silver dollar. Louie's sudden death leaves Frankie and Sparrow devising an alibi to evade suspicion. As prosperity in the neighborhood raises questions, Frankie and Sparrow’s theft from a store leads to their eventual capture.

The Road to Recovery?

In prison, a determined doctor helps Frankie overcome his drug addiction, guiding him away from dependency. However, once released, Frankie struggles to maintain his sobriety, despite...