Max Yaeger is a Hollywood taxi driver who has fun interacting with all kinds of exciting people: cops, horny starlets, strange Christian Jews, aircraft executives, motion picture stars and others. He is also an alcoholic who hasn't had a drink in years and will do nearly anything to protect his sobriety. Max grew up in Westlake Crossing, Ohio, next door to a Negro whorehouse where he saw a policeman commit murder and the terrified boy runs for his life. In other adventures Max tells of his first drink, his first sexual encounter, bootlegging in the Army, love, marriage, and becoming addicted to alcohol. He hits skid row in New York and eventually is faced with a decision - quit drinking or die. Alcoholics Anonymous comes to Max's rescue but after his friend Marie dies and Blondy the Swede fires him from his cab driving job, we stay at close range. Max is ready to fall off the wagon - about to take his first drink in 19 years.