Pete Riley has hired Melanie as a helper in his
car wash. The business is doing well when a street gang, the Pirates, appears and demands
protection money. When Pete refuses, the gang roughs up Pete and Melanie. Unable to get
help to resist the bullies, Pete reluctantly figures he’ll have to give in. But Melanie
won’t admit defeat. She tells her brother Martin the story–not knowing that the Pirates
have been trying to entice Martin to join their gang. Martin’s temptation to become a
tough guy is instantly dispelled, and he and Melanie rally the neighborhood to scare off
the Pirates.