In the summer of 1976, Phil and Joey are two friends growing up in southern Illinois and preparing to enter their first year in high school when the betrayal of an acquaintance strands them miles from home with nothing but their limited wits to get them home again. Depending on the dubious kindness of strangers, the boys endure a labyrinthine series of events, often impeded by their own foolishness, in their efforts to return home.