Jerry Renault, freshman, honest and straightforward, is singled out as a potential non-conformist by Archie Costello, leader of the Vigils. For this high school Mafia, public victimisation is the name of the game and absolute control is gained by humiliating fellow students into conformity through initiation tests devised by corrupt Archie. When one of the masters enlists the help of the Vigils in a fund-raising event, it becomes terrifyingly clear that Jerry hasn't a chance.