Upon hearing of his mentor’s impending death, haggard musician Kino Warren begins a journey on foot across country, and through a place not of this world referred to as “the territory”. Kino believes wholeheartedly that the mentor cannot die until he arrives. On his journey, Kino is unaware several people are on his tail – varyingly malicious and politically involved – in search of the only-known recording of the greatest piece of music ever made, a piece supposedly capable of taking away all pain within the listener – created by his mentor, and in his possession, completely unbeknownst to him.

After suffering a heart attack, Bill (Bill Oberst) takes his doctor’s advice literally to eliminate the stresses from his life. The plan is working until his killings attract the attention of a psychotic cop (Armand Assante) who isn’t sure whether he wants to arrest or join him. Complications deepen when it becomes apparent to Bill that the biggest cause of stress in his life might be his wife.