Ernie has a problem. He doesn't like himself and he doesn't enjoy his life. But there is one thing Ernie does know how to do - he can manipulate people and impose his will on them. Ernie turns to organizing a teenage extortion ring in the high school he attends. As a gang, they terrorize the school and rip off its students. The school's physical education teacher, Peter Fisher, is a proponent of a non-violent social action, and also runs the school board. He announces the formation of a vandalism fund to repair the damage done to the school by Ernie's gang. The result is revelation of the fear and cowardice which underlies so much violence.