Martin Sneider Jr., the son of a bovine geneticist, begrudgingly returns to the family cattle farm when his father's failing health ends his post-collegiate world tour. Soon bored and disgusted with farm work he involves himself in illegal means, is arrested and sent to prison. While serving time he meets new friends who share a philosophy: America's youth are a problem and need a directional kick-start. Soon after Marty's release a fatal stroke claims his father. As his prison pals are released he hires them, replacing his father's employees. They institute a means to recruit young adults who would not normally escape their environs or, for that matter, be seeking employment. Their innovative program is a barter arrangement: ninety days of work for room and board, a cash bonus upon completion, and the opportunity to advance within the growing Execon empire. Sneider is praised as a hero and a genius.
Two young runaways, Ace and T.J., meet on the bus transporting recruits and immediately become friends. After only a day at the Prime Cuts complex they find themselves in deep trouble; Ace accidentally kills a fellow recruit during an argument resultant after T.J. is forced to deal with the repercussions of his own sarcastic mouth. Something isn't right at the complex; the two suspect sinister goings-on beneath the surface of this squeaky clean operation, and intend to get to the bottom of it. But to die trying was not a remote consideration.
Sneider's personal as well as professional lives become embroiled, threatening his hard-earned success. He engages desperate measures to regain control. The media is all over it. Ace and T.J. too; they attempt escape when they make sense of the pieces.
A series of extraordinary events and coincidences leaves all three lives hanging in the balance. Who will survive, and at what cost...